Conor Gallagher is facing strong rumors of an exit from Chelsea this winter, but the club would be making a huge mistake by selling their talented academy star. Despite being up against midfield rivals Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who were signed for a combined fee of £222 million, Gallagher has been outperforming them in almost every aspect of the game this season.

The stats speak for themselves

Gallagher, 23, has been an essential player for Chelsea under manager Mauricio Pochettino this season. He has consistently been part of the starting XI and recently put in a man-of-the-match performance in the Carabao Cup, helping Chelsea reach the semi-finals. However, his contract with the club is set to expire in just 18 months.

Chelsea's American owners are looking to raise funds to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations after a £1 billion spending spree. As a result, reports suggest that the club is open to selling Gallagher if they receive a bid of £35 million or more. But looking at the statistics from this season, it would be madness for Chelsea to let go of such a promising talent.

Gallagher's dominance on the field

Despite playing against two of the most expensive players in history, Gallagher has been excelling in almost every area of the game. He has played more minutes than Fernandez and Caicedo, proving his fitness and dedication to the team. Gallagher has also already registered four assists, while his rivals have yet to provide any.

In terms of chances created, Gallagher has three more than Fernandez. Impressively, 21 of Gallagher's chances have come from open play. He also leads the way in passes made, with a remarkable 91.87% success rate. Defensively, Gallagher has made 54 tackles, compared to Fernandez's 35 and Caicedo's 31. He has also won possession 126 times, with 25 of those balls won in the final third.

While Gallagher has yet to score a goal this season, he has shown his skills with 24 successful dribbles, far surpassing Fernandez's 11. Caicedo is also without a goal, putting Gallagher on level terms with one of his rivals in that aspect.

Don't let Gallagher slip away

Given Gallagher's outstanding performances and potential, Chelsea would be mad to sell him. His contributions on both ends of the field make him a valuable asset to the team. As the club looks to comply with financial regulations, it is important to recognize the talent they have in their own academy. Letting Gallagher go would be a major mistake that Chelsea may come to regret. They should prioritize keeping him and nurturing his development for the future.