Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher stats bode well compared to former West Ham United star and Arsenal ace Declan Rice

West Ham targeting Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher to replace the now Arsenal player Declan Rice may not be the worst idea in the world.

Sky Sports reported on 17 July that the Hammers have had advanced talks with the England international.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the London Stadium for a while now and it may come to fruition this summer.

While there’s no denying that Rice is a better midfielder overall, Gallagher’s statistics make for very good reading in comparison to Rice.

Rice has been viewed by many as one of Europe’s best holding midfielders but when it comes to his tackles and blocks, the Chelsea midfielder’s numbers are superior

Gallagher averages 2.58 tackles per 90 minutes to Rice’s 2.17 and also enjoys superiority over him with 1.92 blocks to the Arsenal player’s 1.24.

In transition, it’s important that midfielders manage to dribble past their first man, and the 23-year-old also has a better success rate at completing take ons than the former West Ham captain.

West Ham

Unlike Rice, Gallagher can offer a goal-scoring threat as well with his non-penalty xG, xAG and shot-creating action numbers proving that he could be the real deal and even a game changer for Moyes.

The Scotsman does not have a midfielder who can do the dirty work in midfield along with prove to be a stellar goal-scoring threat.

In Gallagher, he can get someone who does both and he won’t even cost too much as Chelsea do not see him as a regular starter.

West Ham

In his quest for game time to cement his spot in the England national team, there’s a good reason why the 23-year-old may want to leave Stamford Bridge.

BBC’s Phil McNulty described him as “excellent” back in 2022 and he can surely rekindle some of that good form should he move to West Ham this summer.

In other West Ham news, a super-rich club has launched an enquiry into a star player who could follow Declan Rice out of the door as his agent may engineer a transfer.