As the Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur transfer rumours heat up, one former Chelsea player is questioning the club's squad-building strategy.
Emmanuel Petit, who played for the club in the early 2000s, expressed confusion in regards to the Gallagher reports, which would see the midfielder leave Stamford Bridge amid interest from Tottenham.
Gallagher made his way up through the youth ranks at Chelsea and went on a series of loans before becoming a regular fixture with the Blues last season, and at 23 he's also become a regular with the England national team.
With Gallagher's profile continuing to rise, Petit feels the young player should be one of the cornerstones of Chelsea's future.
Instead, Gallagher could be on the move as early as this month, which has left Petit perplexed.
"I understand Chelsea’s frustration with Gallagher potentially going to Tottenham," Petit told DAZN Bet. "And you know what, I was surprised to read that in the newspapers, I thought to myself, “is it a joke? What's the point, after asking him to come back from Crystal Palace?”
"He was enjoying his life over there, his game over there, he was becoming a different player, and they asked him to come back to the club. They bought thousands of players and now because they need money, they're going to sell probably one of their best players, and an English player on top of it.
"I think they don't learn from their mistakes because it happened with Mason Mount. So what is the point? I mean, it's very important for the supporters to get some English players in the team. For me, identity is very important.
"If you want to sell Gallagher because you spent more than £1billion on transfers in one year, then you have no idea what you are doing in the club. But on top of it you are going to sell to Tottenham, your neighbours, one of the biggest rivals in the Premier League? Come on guys!
"Is anyone advising [Chelsea chairman Todd] Boehly sometimes because I don't know what's going on in this club? They should keep Gallagher. Obviously they want to sell players, they have a lot of players to sell in the dressing room."