Emmanuel Petit has criticized his former club Chelsea for their choice to sell Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid.
On Monday, Gallagher was en route to Madrid to complete a medical examination and finalize his transfer to Atletico.
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Having been with Chelsea since he was eight, the England international made 95 appearances for the club and often served as captain last season.
Chelsea proposed a two-year contract to Gallagher, but he was unimpressed with the offer and chose to end his 18-year relationship with the Premier League team.
The Blues had already accepted a £33m bid from Atletico Madrid, and Gallagher has agreed to terms with the Spanish side.
Petit is ‘saddened’ by Gallagher’s likely departure from Stamford Bridge and believes Chelsea is making another error by allowing his exit.
‘There’s always something going on at Chelsea,’ he told Gambling Zone. ‘It can be really frustrating – it seems like this ownership group hasn’t learned from its previous mistakes.
‘I’m very disheartened by the current state of the club. I’ve been concerned for the last two years under this ownership due to numerous poor decisions and constant changes.
‘Everything has changed. The atmosphere at Chelsea isn’t the same anymore, both within and outside the club. The connection with the fans is lost.
‘I see the project, signing numerous young players for exorbitant sums and long contracts, and it doesn’t make sense.
‘The Americans have invested over a billion and what’s the outcome? Some players have received large contracts without proving themselves.
‘Then there are the players being sold. They’re parting with their top players and academy products. Conor Gallagher was Chelsea’s best player last season and served as captain for most of it due to Reece James’s injury.
‘He represents the national team. He came through the academy and you’re selling him for what? £30 million? He’s likely the top midfielder in the squad.
‘How can Gallagher be valued at £30 million when Manuel Ugarte is worth £60 or £70 million? It doesn’t add up. I don’t understand the decisions being made at the club.
‘They need to sell players because they’ve signed so many and are feeling the financial impact of those errors in the transfer market. £30 million for Conor Gallagher is a steal in today’s market.
‘They should have done more to keep him. They’ve been trying to sell him for two years. I believe he’s been disrespected. They should have offered him a contract comparable to the highest-paid players at the club.
‘Give him the same money you offered to players who are new to the fans and not academy products.’
Petit, who spent two full seasons at Stamford Bridge, continued: ‘Chelsea needs to be cautious.
‘It’s crucial to retain English players who have grown up with the club, as they help set standards and maintain the culture.
‘Chelsea should have done everything possible to persuade him to stay. I thought he made significant improvements last season. His performances and growth were a pleasant surprise.
‘They pressured him by giving him an ultimatum: sign the contract or be sold. If I were Gallagher, I’d be extremely frustrated.
‘He gave everything for the club and fought for the badge. Meanwhile, other players who had achieved nothing were given better terms.
‘I find it very disappointing and feel sorry for him. It’s reminiscent of what happened with Mason Mount. He was one of Chelsea’s top players but didn’t get the contract he deserved, while new players were given big money.
‘It’s the same situation, almost as if this ownership disregards their own developed talent in favor of chasing the next signing.’
