Chelsea learn if two loaned-out starlets can be recalled in January window

Chelsea cannot recall Conor Gallagher or Billy Gilmour in January from their loan moves at Crystal Palace and Norwich City

According to The Athletic (Subscription Required), Chelsea are not going to be able to recall Conor Gallagher or Billy Gilmour in January from their respective loan moves at Crystal Palace and Norwich City.

The Blues have undergone a slight stutter in form in recent weeks. Injuries have been at the epicentre of the blip in results, with the midfield looking at its worst since Thomas Tuchel arrived in January. Jorginho is playing despite a back issue as Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante are yet to return to action.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also had to play several games without a break, while Trevoh Chalobah also picked up a knock while deputising in midfield against Watford. Thus, one would have thought about bringing in reinforcements in January. The Blues would also not have to search for any since their two loanees in Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour are viable options.

However, Chelsea have lost out on the opportunity to recall them mid-season. This is because both players have apparently played enough games to prevent a January recall break clause from being activated by their parent club.

Perhaps for the best

The pair have been brilliant on their respective loan moves this season. Gallagher has produced performances even Patrick Vieira would be proud of, not least because he is his manager. The 21-year-old has scored six goals and provided a further three assists in fifteen appearances. This has helped the Eagles stay well above the relegation zone after a poor start to the season.

Gilmour, on the other hand, had a topsy turvy start to life at Carrow Road. He did feature in the opening games before Daniel Farke benched him for two months. It got to a point where Tuchel was concerned about the lack of game-time for the Scot. However, since Dean Smith has been appointed at the club, the 20-year-old has played every single game.

Gallagher has played across the midfield line and has excelled as a box-to-box operator. Gilmour has honed his talent as a No 6 and has been dictating play for the Canaries. Thus, they would have solved quite a lot of problems for the Blues, if we had the option to recall them mid-season.

Regardless, they are developing and living up to their potential and that is the main aim of a loan move. They are getting considerable experience and could prove to be huge assets for their boyhood club next season, assuming they keep up the good form in the second half of the campaign. Moreover, with both in line to compete for a spot in their national squads for the 2022 World Cup, consistent game-time could go a long way in helping them achieve that goal.

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Although this is a huge blow, Chelsea recently received a boost as Kante and Chalobah returned to training. Mateo Kovacic might also come back into action once he tests negative for Covid-19. Ben Chilwell also stands a chance to return in mid-January from his partial ACL tear. Thus, all is not lost for the Stamford Bridge outfit.