Evertonians will be able to sympathise with the bittersweet situation Crystal Palace are in ahead of Thursday's crucial clash between the two teams.
Back in 2013-14, the Toffees managed to secure the loan signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea and the striker played a vital role in Roberto Martinez's side putting up a record Premier League points total for the club.
While there were raw edges to Lukaku's game that term, all the pieces were there for a world-class centre-forward to form. It felt like a massive long shot that the club would be able to prise him away from Stamford Bridge as a result, so fans cherished him while they could in the final embers of his loan term.
Crystal Palace fans will be having similar feelings about Conor Gallagher.
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Of course, Everton were able to sign Lukaku in 2014 on a permanent deal for a club-record fee, as the Toffees had European football to offer the young forward and the foundations for an exciting young team - at least they thought.
While Palace have the latter to tempt Gallagher, they do not have the former. And as a result, Thursday's fixture at Goodison looks likely to be his penultimate in a hugely successful loan term with the south London club.
The 22-year-old has been an incredible find for Palace, notching eight goals and three assists. Early in the season he excelled as the most advanced central midfielder under Patrick Vieira, while the return to fitness of Eberechi Eze has prompted Gallagher to move into a deeper berth that demands more discipline.
The versatility, penetration and energy the England international brings to the field are scarce in Everton's midfield, so plenty of Blues may wonder - and no doubt, have long wondered - why the Toffees weren't in for the Chelsea prospect in the summer.
After all, while Palace currently look the more attractive proposition of the two clubs, ahead of the season there were no real belief that a flirtation with relegation was on the cards for the Blues. It was the Eagles who many expected to sink like a stone. They have been galvanised by Gallagher.
But he may well have been wearing Everton blue had things played out a little differently.
The ECHO wrote in November last year that Everton scouted Gallagher at least 10 times between 2018 and 2020.
"Some inside of Everton's recruitment department were pushing hard for the club to look into the possibility of signing the highly-promising player," penned Phil Kirkbride. "But a follow-up scouting trip seems to have put a hold on Everton's interest in Gallagher...with the report at the time said to question if he would be a good fit for the squad.
"It is unclear if Chelsea's asking price would have also a factor in the decision but they have been prepared to loan Gallagher out for the past two seasons."
Gallagher has already showed Everton what they missed out on twice this season, netting a brace in the 3-1 win over the Toffees at Selhurst Park in the Premier League and producing a controlled midfield display in Palace's 4-0 win in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Everton have issues to contend with in midfield ahead of Thursday's clash with Gallagher's current team.
Fabian Delph is injured, while Allan was left on the bench on Sunday against Brentford despite the clear need for extra impetus in midfield. Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Doucoure has been inconsistent, Andre Gomes can only seemingly operate in a midfield trio and Tom Davies is only just back in the squad after a long injury layoff.
Donny van de Beek is fit again after a recent spell on the sidelines, although manager Frank Lampard may be wary of throwing him straight back into what promises to be an intense encounter.
It will be intense because of the circumstances, the atmosphere and what is at stake for Everton - three points mean Premier League safety. But also because of Gallagher, who sets a vibrant tempo for Palace at the hub of the team.
As a player, Lampard shared so many qualities with the current Chelsea loanee. And as the Toffees prepare for yet another midfield rebuild, the manager will no doubt lament his predecessors not taking the plunge on one of the Premier League's rising stars.
