Paul Merson has warned Chelsea that it would be a colossal mistake to sell one of their players currently linked with a potential exit this summer.

For Chelsea fans, there’s certainly a fear of the unknown going into the summer.

First of all, will the Blues learn from previous mistakes and be smarter in the transfer market? Most importantly, will Mauricio Pochettino still be the head coach in the dugout next season?

Journalist David Ornstein told NBC Sports last week that Chelsea plan to review Pochettino’s position as manager once the season is over. The Blues boss made the bizarre claim on Friday that it would “not be the end of the world” if he were to leave Chelsea this summer, though (BBC).

Paul Merson urges Chelsea to keep brilliant player

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has claimed that Chelsea would be taking “five steps back” if they get rid of Conor Gallagher at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old central midfielder, who’s worn the captain’s armband for much of this campaign, has been one of the standout individuals at Stamford Bridge. He’s got seven goals and nine assists across all competitions from midfield.

However, it’s not stopped rumours about his possible sale.

“If they sell Conor Gallagher, it’s five steps back,” Merson told the Soccer Saturday programme on Sky Sports News (1:42pm, 11 May).

“I am a big Conor Gallagher fan, he gives you absolutely everything.

“I think he gets into virtually every team, probably Man City he doesn’t get into, any other team, I think he gets into. I would even go as far as to say at Arsenal you would, go and get him at Arsenal where you have got [Declan] Rice, [Martin] Odegaard and Gallagher.

“He gives you everything. He gives you energy, he gives you goals and he closes down. He is a fan’s dream. Everybody wants a trier.”

Conor Gallagher transfer rumours

Unfortunately, there’s quite a bit of talk in the media around Chelsea possibly selling Gallagher, largely because the academy graduate’s transfer would be pure profit on the balance sheet.

The Evening Standard has claimed that Gallagher is one of four players that Chelsea want to sell before the end of the June.

Also, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has exclusively revealed to The Chelsea Chronicle that Gallagher’s future at Stamford Bridge looks really bleak.