legend says the rules are ‘not fair’ on star Conor Gallagher who won’t be able to play against parent club in the FA Cup semi-final.
Palace booked their spot in the semi-final with a 4-0 win over Everton to set up a Wembley meeting with the Blues next month.
Gallagher is currently on a season-long loan with Palace and has already had to miss out on both defeats against Chelsea in the league this season due to Premier League rules.
Sadly for Palace and the 22-year-old, FA rules are the same for cup competitions. The rules state: ‘The Association will not give permission for players on loan or work experience to play against the lending Club.’
Wright, who won the FA Cup twice with Arsenal, says he’d be ‘devastated’ if it was him missing out on a Wembley appearance.
‘If you’ve let a player go from the start of the season then yes he’s your player,’ Wright said on his podcast
‘For Conor Gallagher to go to Palace and take them to the levels.
‘He’s one of the main reasons they’re doing what they’re doing.
‘He’s helped get them to a semi-final at Wembley which is what we all dream of as professionals and he can’t play because his parent club is there.
‘There’s something not fair about that. I’d be devastated if I was in his position.’
Gallagher has eight goals and five assists in his 30 appearances for the Eagles this season that has led to him being called up to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, alongside Palace team-mates Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell.
The Chelsea academy graduate looks set to return to Stamford Bridge to fight for his place in Thomas Tuchel’s side in the summer unless Palace can convince them to sell.
Wright believes Gallagher will be a huge void to fill in the middle of the park for the Eagles given what he offers Patrick Vieira’s side.
‘One of the key things, and it’s very obvious, is they have to do something about either signing Conor Gallagher or finding someone who does what he does,’ added Wright.
‘I’ve never seen anyone work that hard, closing down, running back, linking up with defence, midfield and going forward. He gives you so much that if you take him out they lose a lot.’
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