Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has admitted that signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher on-loan was a risk, despite the fact that it is one that has significantly paid off for the Addicks.

The 19-year-old joined Charlton on a deal until the end of this season during the summer transfer window, and despite never having made a senior appearance prior to the move, Gallagher has had a significant impact during his time in the Championship.

So far this season, the teenager has featured in all 11 of Charlton's league games, scoring four goals and providing two assists, leading to speculation that he could be given a chance in Chelsea's senior side upon his return to Stamford Bridge next summer, and Bowyer has clearly been impressed with his summer recruit.

Reflecting on the decision to sign Gallagher, Bowyer told TalkSport: “He’s a good player.

“For us it was a bit of a gamble; he had never been on loan anywhere before and is only 19 so he’s still learning the game.

“But he’s hit the ground running."

Discussing what it has been like to manage Gallagher, Bowyer was full of praise for the teenager, as he revealed: “Whatever you tell him he does and I just keep encouraging him to get in the box, and things are falling for him at the moment.

“His willingness and work rate are unreal, so he’s fitted in really well.

“He’s still learning though – he needs to learn – but he’s been a great addition for us.”

Having taken five wins and three draws from their opening 11 league games of the season, Charlton are currently tenth in the Championship standings, ahead of the visit of Derby County to The Valley on Saturday afternoon.

The Verdict

I think Bowyer is spot on here.

The signing of Gallagher was always going to be a risk, given his lack of senior game time at any level prior to the start of this season, something only enhanced by the fact that Charlton were expected to struggle in a division as competitive as the Championship this season.

Despite that, Gallagher has taken to the second-tier brilliantly, and it is hard to see why it couldn't lead to some first-team opportunities at Chelsea next season.

Indeed, with Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori all now regular features in Chelsea's first-team following impressive loan spells in the Championship last season, there is a precedent that has been set for Gallagher to aim for here, and right now he does seem to be meeting that.

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