His 4 loan spells have each been about progression with each being a step up from the last, starting with Charlton, Swansea, WBA and now Palace. The next step is Chelsea, whether he can get regular game time for them is yet to be seen. RLC was kept because he was an emerging talent and English, which helped to fill their squad quota, I can see the same happening with Gallagher unfortunately.

But, if they were to sell, there's no doubt we'd be in the driving seat if his form continues.

If his form continues throughout the season then I’m sure Chelsea will have a proper look at him in pre-season.

But it’s a hell of a task to get in that CM. Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Niguez, Mount, Ruben LC, Barkley. Plus Gilmore out on loan

In Kante, Jorginho they have 2 of the most complete midfielders in the world. I don’t know how he breaks that.

And the fact that they are happy to freeze Barkley out and let Connor and Gilmore go out on loan and buy Niguez demonstrate that they are only willing to put top established players into the first team.

So who knows, but lets just enjoy him for the time being!

Would love to have him of course on evidence so far and cannot fault the commitment. Simply think he is probably both out of our range come the summer and wanted by Chelsea anyway where he has strong ties and a plausible route to the first team.

Not sure the parallel with Wilf works. He never had to move away from Arsenal and his ties to this club are exceptionally close - brought up within sight of the ground.

A better parallel from your point of view might be Rice who was rejected by Chelsea as a kid. He too is a Chelsea fan and is on record as saying that he'd like to go back there despite being an icon at WH who he has been fantastic for. The likelihood is though that United and Chelsea might get in a bidding war for him next summer - tough to keep hold of full England internationals!

Edited by Omph (16 Sep 2021 12.36pm)

Not entirely true, Jorghino is 29 and Kante is 30. So they still have a couple of years in them. Kante also played 48 games last season, 30 in the prem. So he's not walking wounded.

But look, if Connor is good enough he has a chance of getting in. Still a very tall order

That's fair, which I guess is why they brought Saul in.

Its always going to be difficult trying to break in there as at any moment they can turn around and splash the cash to bring someone else in.

I have been immensely impressed with him since he signed on loan and watching him again on Monday night further enhanced my opinion of him. I have just braved the game again and watched my recording of it this morning.

His attitude, his running, commitment and work rate were all absolutely outstanding. Plus his ability, composure on the ball, passing accuracy and link up play were also first class. We know from the West Ham performance and his time on loan at West Brom that he has goals and assists in his locker too.

Not only is he a brilliant player but he seems to have settled in SO quickly and is quite obviously the perfect fit in our midfield.

He is young, quick, can run ALL game and is incredibly talented. It is also hugely apparent that he seems to have the Palace vibe already. You can see it in his passion, his play and his body language.

Signing Connor on a permanent deal would be the best bit of business we could do at the end of his loan. You never know…if he really enjoys his time here and Chelsea are still trying to raise the funds for Erling Haaland next summer, we can but hope.