‘£60m would do it’ – Palace told to ‘break bank’ for Chelsea starlet

Former Crystal Palace player Darren Ambrose thinks the club should “break the bank” to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in the summer.

The 21-year-old has been in fantastic form for the Eagles this term, contributing six goals and three assists in 16 Premier League matches.

Unfortunately for Palace they only have him on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season but it’s hard to imagine him playing regularly at Stamford Bridge anytime soon, despite his heroics this term.

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And Ambrose – who scored 37 goals in 124 appearances for Crystal Palace – reckons his former club should do everything they can to sign Gallagher in the summer.

He said on talkSPORT: “100 per cent – and I mean break the bank! £60m would do it. He’s playing every week, he’s happy. I think Palace is a club going forward. They’ve got a manager in Patrick Vieira who is someone you want to learn of.

“I’m not saying it’s a stepping stone but it could potentially be one if Palace doesn’t go the way he could. I think they’re on the up and heading for the top half of the table and beyond.

“Does he play week in, week out at Chelsea if everyone’s fit? Probably not. Even though I feel he should.”

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira recently described Conor Gallagher as a “manager’s dream” and compared him to former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour.

“Conor has this passion for the game when he is on the field like a Ray Parlour, but I would say he has maybe the quality finishing of a Frank Lampard,” Vieira said.

“It is a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor because when he is on the field, he will give everything.

“He is focused, concentrated and will always give his best. This is something that for me is really important.”

This is the 21-year-old’s joint-best goalscoring season after he found the net on six occasions during the 2019-20 campaign, which was spent on loan in the Sky Bet Championship with Charlton and Swansea.

Vieira believes the midfielder’s desire to improve is behind his goal return.

“I think it is his determination to progress. Every time he is putting his feet on the field, he wants to improve and to challenge himself,” the Palace manager added.

“We know his quality and we know he can be box-to-box. He can score goals but what is really impressive with him is his work ethic in training every day.

“When you have that kind of determination to challenge yourself and to improve, you will have more chance to succeed.”