Chelsea’s summer of upheaval continues: Conor Gallagher out, Joao Felix in

Midfielder’s 18-year career at Stamford Bridge comes to an end as Portugal striker heads in the opposite direction

Chelsea’s summer of upheaval has continued with Conor Gallagher ending his 18-year association with his boyhood club to sign for Atletico Madrid and Joao Felix moving the other way.
England international Gallagher has already trained with his new team-mates in Spain after a deal worth around £34 million was agreed between the two clubs. Felix has returned to Chelsea for a fee believed to be around £45 million and he has signed a six-year deal, with the option of a further year.
Gallagher’s transfer to Spain came after he was told that he would not be a regular player under new head coach Enzo Maresca. Chelsea were eager to sell the midfielder as he had one year remaining on his contract and had rejected offers of a three-year deal.
Gallagher has signed a five-year contract in Spain, where he has been reunited with former Chelsea team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta.
Gallagher is a hugely popular player at Stamford Bridge, where many fans chanted his name during Sunday’s 2-0 opening-game defeat by Manchester City. The 24-year-old regularly captained the club last season, when he was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino.
“To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true. It’s been an absolute honour every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions,” Gallagher said.
“I loved every moment. These memories will last forever. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans. Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed [against Spurs] meant the world to me.
“Thank you for everything. I wish the club all the best for the future, and I hope to see you all soon at Stamford Bridge.”
A post shared by Conor Gallagher (@conorgallagher92)
Chelsea published a goodbye video to Gallagher on their social media platforms, featuring clips of the player as an academy prospect, charting his journey to the first team and saying he will “forever be a Blue”.
Conor Gallagher has completed a permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid. We wish Conor the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career. 💙
Felix’s move marks a return to Chelsea and the Premier League after he spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at the club. He scored four goals in 20 appearances during that spell.
“I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can’t wait to get started,” Felix said. “I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.
“I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I’d love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I’m excited to be back.”
Following that loan, Chelsea decided against pursuing another deal for Felix in the summer of 2023. The Portugal international went on loan to Barcelona instead, where he scored 10 goals in 44 appearances.
Chelsea’s next match is on Thursday night against Swiss side Servette in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off. Raheem Sterling, after being dropped from the side that faced City on Sunday, has not been included on Chelsea’s squad list for the game. Ben Chilwell, who has been told he can leave, has also been left out.