Chelsea
West Brom winning the race for this gifted 19-year-old Chelsea starlet would be decisive
Why West Brom should try to win the race for Conor Gallagher
According to the Daily Mail, West Brom have joined the race to sign Chelsea starlet Conor Gallagher, who has impressed out on loan at Charlton Athletic in the Championship this season.
The 19-year-old, who was a part of Chelsea’s back-to-back FA Youth Cup triumphs in 2016-17 and 2017-18, won the 2018-19 Academy Player of the Year award before heading out on loan to newly-promoted Charlton Athletic in the EFL Championship this past summer.
Gallagher hasn’t looked back since then and has carved out a reputation for himself as a fine young box-to-box midfielder in the making.
The highly-rated teenager has accumulated 6 goals and 2 assists in 24 league appearances for the Addicks under Lee Bowyer and his abrupt emergence on to the scene has put him on the radar of a host of clubs.
Swansea City have also been credited with an interest in Epsom-born prodigy while Premier League outfit Burnley have identified him as a replacement for underwhelming Chelsea loanee, Danny Drinkwater, who has emerged as a loan target for Aston Villa in the January window. (h/t Daily Mail)
As per the report, Gallagher is expected to cut short his loan spell at The Valley before the end of this month and with so many clubs hot on the trail of the 19-year-old, Chelsea could well be tempted to cash in on one of their prized academy assets.
Meanwhile, West Brom shared the spoils with Leeds United in a top-of-the-table clash in the Championship on New Year’s Day that ended 1-1 at the Hawthorns.
Semi Ajayi put the Baggies in the driver’s seat very early in the clash but he turned from a hero to a villain with an own goal in the second half, as Marcelo Bielsa’s side remained on top of the standings on the virtue of a better goal difference.
Currently level on points with Leeds and nine clear of third-placed Brentford, West Brom are placed comfortably in the race for automatic promotion in the Championship and the Baggies don’t really need to make any wholesale changes to the squad during the mid-season trading period.
With that in mind, however, they need to start looking at life beyond promotion and splashing the cash on talented players in January would certainly make a lot of sense as far as Slaven Bilic’s long-term project at the Hawthorns is concerned.
To put things into perspective, Conor Gallagher has reached great heights in his first season at the senior level and West Brom have every reason to look at him as someone who could work wonders for them in the years to come.
As per Whoscored, Gallagher averages 28.1 passes per game at an accuracy of 78.1%, including 0.8 key passes, 2 long balls, 1.9 tackles, 1 interception and 1.4 dribbles per game in the Championship this season, figures which lie testament to his well-rounded qualities as a box-to-box ace.
The 19-year-old primarily featured as a left-sided midfielder in Lee Bowyer’s 4-1-2-1-2 formation earlier in the campaign, but with the manager tinkering his system in the past few months, Gallagher has also illustrated his versatility to play in wide and advanced attacking roles.
Matheus Pereira, who has contributed with 5 goals and 10 assists so far, has been one of the key driving forces behind West Brom’s surge for automatic promotion this season while West Ham loanee Grady Diangana has also been instrumental with his dazzling displays down the flanks.
The stability in the middle of the park provided by the pairing of Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore has been one of the hallmarks of Bilic’s 4-2-3-1 system, but it is imperative to say that the Baggies haven’t got a lot of depth beyond that.
Verdict
With Rekeem Harper failing to break into the Croatian’s plans and Gareth Barry pretty much nearing his swansong as a professional footballer at 38, West Brom have some serious squad depth issues to sort out moving forward and an exceptional young talent like Conor Gallagher certainly fits the bill.
As well as his ability to play in a deeper box-to-box role, Gallagher is also creative enough to play in a No.10 role behind the striker where West Brom can certainly do with more competition for places in the near future.
Pereira has undoubtedly been an inspired addition to the club’s ranks but Benfica loanee Filip Krovinovic’s uninspired displays continue to be a cause of concern for the Baggies.
Suffice to say, Gallagher’s versatility to play in multiple roles means that he could offer Bilic with some quality cover and the 19-year-old is only going to get better with time.
The Croatian boss has worked wonders with youngsters like Diangana, Nathan Ferguson and Kyle Edwards, and Gallagher could reach even better heights under his guidance.
More West Brom News
- Why Marcus Maddison to West Brom would be a good move
- Why West Brom signing Morgan Fox in January would be a smart move
- Why West Brom loaning out Rekeem Harper in January would make sense
Having said that, West Brom would bag a real coup if they manage to beat off competition in the race to sign Conor Gallagher, who has a big future ahead of him.
Tottenham Women have signed Japan international Maika Hamano on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season, marking their fourth signing of the January transfer window. The 21 year old versatile attacker joins fellow new arrivals Matilda Nildén, Hannah Wijk and Signe Gaupset as Martin Ho strengthens his squad for a top four push.
Hamano joined Chelsea from INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2023 and was a member of Japan’s 2023 World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics squads. However, she has seen limited minutes at Stamford Bridge this season under Sonia Bompastor, prompting the loan move to secure regular playing time.
Versatile Forward Provides Emergency Cover
The attacker can play anywhere across the forward line, operating on both flanks and centrally. She appears to be emergency cover for Jess Naz, who is out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in December. The loan is believed to be a dry loan with no purchase option included.
The only downside to Hamano’s arrival is that she will miss a couple of games this spring alongside fellow Japan international Toko Koga for the Asian Cup. Claire Hunt will also be absent during that period for international duty.
Spurs Positioning for Top Four Finish
Tottenham’s aggressive January business signals their ambition to finish in the top four or five this season. Reports suggest they are not finished in the transfer market with Julie Blakstad and Larissa Mühlhaus also mentioned as potential targets.
The club has moved swiftly to address squad weaknesses after struggling in the first half of the campaign. Hamano’s versatility gives Ho tactical flexibility as Spurs look to climb the WSL table when they return from the winter break on January 10.
Chelsea
(Photos) Chelsea Star Sam Kerr Marries USWNT’s Kristie Mewis in Australian Wedding of the Year as Matildas Captain Carries Son Jagger Down Aisle
Sam Kerr married longtime partner Kristie Mewis in a stunning New Year’s Eve ceremony at Dionysus Villa in Perth’s Swan Valley. The Chelsea striker and former USWNT midfielder, who welcomed son Jagger earlier in 2025, exchanged vows in front of 120 guests at the luxurious Venetian inspired estate in what Australian media dubbed “Australian sport’s wedding of the year.”
Kerr dazzled in a classic black tuxedo with a white buttonhole rose while Mewis wore a white sparkling gown featuring a corset and long veil. In a touching moment, Kerr carried their seven month old son down the aisle with Mewis later revealing on her podcast that she would “sob when that happens.”
Matildas Stars Among Superstar Guests
The guestlist included several of Kerr’s Matildas teammates including Steph Catley, Mackenzie Arnold and Alanna Kennedy, who all wore black outfits in line with the dress code. Arsenal stars Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe also attended alongside former United States teammate Stephanie McCaffrey.
The couple got engaged in late 2023 after meeting in 2019 and officially announcing their relationship in 2021. They celebrated into the early hours of 2026 before flying back to London with baby Jagger after a brief stay at the Crown Towers hotel.
A full honeymoon is on hold due to Kerr’s upcoming fixture for Chelsea against West Ham on January 11th.
Wedding Caps Remarkable Recovery
The ceremony caps a remarkable two years for Kerr following her ACL injury sustained in January 2024 that kept her out for 20 months. Her recovery was extended due to an undiscovered issue with the surgical graft that caused persistent pain and dark days during rehabilitation.
She made her return in September 2025, scoring her 100th Chelsea goal minutes after coming off the bench against Aston Villa.
Also read: Sjoeke Nüsken Open to Chelsea Exit as Bayern Munich Circle, Expresses Her Preference
Arsenal Dragon
Top Women’s Football Free Agents in 2026 as Lucy Bronze, Bunny Shaw and Georgia Stanway Among Stars With Expiring Contracts
A large number of high profile players in women’s football will become free agents this summer with reigning WSL champions Chelsea facing the potential departure of eight first team stars. Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Millie Bright, Aggie Beever Jones, Sam Kerr, Catarina Macario, Guro Reiten and Rebecca Spencer are all out of contract or require options to be exercised.
All Chelsea players are available to sign pre contracts with clubs outside the WSL from this month. Macario is the player most likely to leave amid interest from NWSL side Bay FC, with the United States international having found game time limited under Sonia Bompastor this season.
Arsenal Face Major Contract Decisions
Arsenal also have several top players requiring action including Emily Fox, Katie McCabe, Kim Little, Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead. Mead could be on the move after being linked with London City Lionesses last summer, though the Gunners will be desperate to retain the Euro 2025 winner.
Manchester City face losing WSL leading goalscorer Bunny Shaw on a free transfer this summer. Leila Ouahabi and Laura Coombs are also both out of contract at the Joie Stadium. Manchester United will be keen to exercise the option on Ella Toone’s deal after the midfielder was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
European Stars Available
England midfielder Georgia Stanway is attracting interest from clubs including Arsenal with her Bayern Munich contract expiring. Barcelona face uncertainty over several stars including Alexia Putellas, Mapi Leon, Salma Paralluelo and Caroline Graham Hansen.
Caroline Weir is on an expiring contract at Real Madrid while former England number one Mary Earps could leave Paris Saint Germain. Trinity Rodman’s Washington Spirit contract expires with WSL champions Chelsea among clubs interested in the United States forward.
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