After six very productive months at Charlton Athletic, Conor Gallagher has a new temporary home in Swansea. Chelsea’s decision to recall him from south London and send him to South Wales this month has raised a few eyebrows — and annoyed Charlton manager Lee Bowyer — but the logic behind it is comprehensive and the potential benefits go beyond one promising footballer’s development.



Sources have told The Athletic that Chelsea’s academy staff are hoping to build a lasting relationship that could see Swansea City become the preferred loan destination for some of their brightest prospects in the years to come. It is likely that others will follow Gallagher, and defender Marc Guehi, in being farmed out from Cobham to the Liberty Stadium.



Gallagher’s first three months in senior football went better than he or anyone else expected. Five goals from midfield in his first 12 appearances established him as the most exciting talent in...