West Ham make Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher their top priority to replace Declan Rice
West Ham have made Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher their first-choice target to replace Declan Rice this summer, according to a report by Tuttomercato.
The Italian news outlet shared via their website that Chelsea would rather renew Gallagher’s contract than let him leave this summer, but would be tempted into a sale should they receive a bid exceeding £40million, which was also reported by Sky Sports [19 July].
The news that Gallagher is the club’s first choice replacement to replace Rice may come as a surprise, due to the differences in the way each player plays the game and the different aspects of their game they offer to the team.
Conor Gallagher is not a Rice replacement
If the report is true, that Gallagher will be seen as a replacement for Rice, then West Ham will be in for a nasty surprise when he arrives at the London Stadium.
While Rice did play as a ‘number eight’ on occasion for the Hammers, his priority in the side was to sit at the base of the midfield, carrying the ball forward when possible and cleaning up opposition attacks to help the team recycle possession.
Gallagher is a totally different player. A manic high-pressing machine, with a good eye for goal and ability to sniff out space in the box, who provides energy and drive to a team. His strengths lay in the opposite side of the pitch to Rice’s.
When it comes to a Declan Rice replacement, West Ham are better off looking at some of the other names they’ve been linked to – chief among them being Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.
Alvarez was linked to West Ham as recently as 20 July [Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf] and would fit the deep-lying midfielder role much better than Gallagher would as a replacement for Rice.
In other West Ham news, the club may already have their next superstar in their ranks.