Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has expressed his disappointment with Chelsea's decision to recall midfielder Conor Gallagher, revealing that he did not anticipate the move.
Gallagher had thrived at Charlton after joining on a season-long loan in August, scoring six goals in 26 appearances as a regular first-team fixture in the Championship.
However, Chelsea made the decision to terminate that stint early on Tuesday and will open discussions regarding another loan spell this week.
Chelsea are eager to see England Under-21 international Gallagher tested at a higher level, with a move to a Premier League team possible for the remainder of the season.
For Charlton, the 19-year-old's premature exit is a considerable blow as they look to move back up the table following a run of just one win in 15 matches that has left them 19th in the second tier and only five points above the relegation zone.
“I'm disappointed," Bowyer told Charlton's official website of Gallagher's departure.
"I didn't see this coming if I'm honest which makes it harder to take. At the end of the day, though, we have to move on.
“He's been a credit and a pleasure to work with. He's come in and put his body on the line every single day. He's scored us goals and helped us win games.
"For someone so young, he's a great talent to work with and I wish him all the best for his future.
"He's come in, learnt and he's going back a better player than we received and that's what our job is - to improve players."
Bowyer also outlined Charlton's need to find a replacement for Gallagher, with East Street Investments (ESI) having now completed their takeover of the club from Roland Duchatelet.
The Addicks have completed one signing so far this month, with former Preston loanee Andre Green arriving from Aston Villa until the end of the season.
"I would like to thank Chelsea for loaning us Conor," Bowyer added.
"The most important thing now is that Conor goes on and progresses in his career and we've got to move on and try and find a replacement.”
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
You just sounded so dumb..You didn't read the article or what?
Check his recent comment history. Not a single one about Chelsea in our best only there for our worst.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
You just sounded so dumb..You didn't read the article or what?
Bro have you noticed that guy stopped commenting ever since we started to do well with Lampard and finished top 4. He really was only here to see Chelsea go through bad times, those are the people that call themselves fans nowadays. Ones who prefer their team do bad than good lol.
mojoefe
1
You just sounded so dumb..You didn't read the article or what?
I don’t think so, read the comment again
Ovieme
4
Sorry 🙏 man. We are grateful for all you did for him. But we need him..... 👏
Ovieme
1
Sorry 🙏 man. We are grateful for all you did for him. But we need him.
zihaelsy
0
that is nice of him
Sahla_HDP
0
Not only Gallagher, but we should call back Amphadu too. First of all, he should be loaned to a team in Premier League, because he will play in England with Chelsea, so there is the league that he need to learn. And secondly, he is not playing in Bundesliga. And we need to loan Billy Gilmour as fast as we can. They need to play man Football at young age. Only experiencing will bring the best on them.
Amphadu can be reliable. He could be our next great centre-back! He could be the one to be great after Tomori and Christensen. He is the kind of defender like Bonucci. A great defender with great attacking prowess with vision, and good short/long passing that can lead the team forward, he can even be a back playmaker. When he plays on defensive midfield, that is something about him that reminds me both Pirlo and Busquets. I'm not saying that he is like them or will be good as them. But there is something that makes him good. We need him.
Handsome Mike
2
Chelsea Chelsea everywhere! I'm forever thankful for that transfer ban. We had natural resources in abundance lying idle but the transfer ban opened our eyes to the diamond within.
Handsome Mike
0
Not only Gallagher, but we should call back Amphadu too. First of all, he should be loaned to a team in Premier League, because he will play in England with Chelsea, so there is the league that he need to learn. And secondly, he is not playing in Bundesliga. And we need to loan Billy Gilmour as fast as we can. They need to play man Football at young age. Only experiencing will bring the best on them.
I don't foresee Ampadu playing for Chelsea in the future..And yes! you are right Gilly should be loaned out ASAP..He is the future.
Fudcmopsyz
0
is LAMPARD in d position to terminate a loan deal of a player? always research b4 posting a comment
exactly! they r just nuisance
Handsome Mike
0
Even I'm disappointed in this cos he was doing well there and picking up experience but now a sudden change of environment again halts and restarts his growth as he has to get used to a new set of players and play style. They maybe getting relegated but he could have better picked up experience and mentality at Charlton.
What if there is a better option on ground for his development and he said he wants to take the step? Let's not be too quick to judge, we have the best academy probably because of such ruthless decisions.
Handsome Mike
0
seriously that is very bad of Chelsea I mean considering the condition and position of Charlton we should have at least allow the boy to say for the end of the season, help them fight for relegation at least.
You have no idea what is happening behind the scenes..Maybe there is a better option for his development and the boy said he wants to take the step. Let's not be too quick to judge, we have the best academy probably because of such decisions.
Handsome Mike
4
instead of looking for creative midfielder like Erikson they are fighting for youth, lampard will make Chelsea, play like man united very soon, just watch and see
You just sounded so dumb..You didn't read the article or what?
xata
1
instead of looking for creative midfielder like Erikson they are fighting for youth, lampard will make Chelsea, play like man united very soon, just watch and see
Hubby2030
1
Not only Gallagher, but we should call back Amphadu too. First of all, he should be loaned to a team in Premier League, because he will play in England with Chelsea, so there is the league that he need to learn. And secondly, he is not playing in Bundesliga. And we need to loan Billy Gilmour as fast as we can. They need to play man Football at young age. Only experiencing will bring the best on them.
My friend, is true
jezikmnru
2
is LAMPARD in d position to terminate a loan deal of a player? always research b4 posting a comment
Likbdekru
1
don't you know that lampard believes in anything English than other nationality
Fadciklnyz
4
seriously that is very bad of Chelsea I mean considering the condition and position of Charlton we should have at least allow the boy to say for the end of the season, help them fight for relegation at least.
AugustMontana
0
not a good move by chelsea
chelsea will regret this
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
not a good move by chelsea
I agree, this will cause complication they did the same with our last batch or youngsters and only Tammy and Reece made it from that lot...
Nesaiknruy_Legend
5
Even I'm disappointed in this cos he was doing well there and picking up experience but now a sudden change of environment again halts and restarts his growth as he has to get used to a new set of players and play style. They maybe getting relegated but he could have better picked up experience and mentality at Charlton.
vuobdln
4
19th place in table and they are disappointed?! What did they expect to achieve with Gallagher? Promotion? Be realistic Charlton!
Sahla_HDP
5
Not only Gallagher, but we should call back Amphadu too. First of all, he should be loaned to a team in Premier League, because he will play in England with Chelsea, so there is the league that he need to learn. And secondly, he is not playing in Bundesliga. And we need to loan Billy Gilmour as fast as we can. They need to play man Football at young age. Only experiencing will bring the best on them.
Tusabdekmt
1
oh yes, that is really good, he need premier league experience indeed, to make him suitable for Chelsea
∆lphaville
0
not a good move by chelsea
he need premier league experience... Because of next season
wunlo
0
I expect he is disappointed,he will get over it
dihaekmot
2
should have called back Ethan Ampadu instead
Memcdmno
2
he needs more challenge to improve that's the actual reason for calling him back. very sorry for the disappointment Charlton.
Madayo
2
we are bullies
Alfred-90G
2
He is our property not yours. We render him to Charlton and we decided today to come home
Tosabcep
1
sorry for your lost truly feel for you
AugustMontana
0
not a good move by chelsea