Chelsea dealt blow over key player

Chelsea face another tough task on Monday when they host Newcastle United. 

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has endured a difficult first season at the club so far, with his side currently sat 11th in the Premier League table.

The Argentine did guide the Blues to the Carabao Cup final, but they were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool at Wembley as Pochettino missed the chance to win his first trophy in English football.

The Magpies arrive at Stamford Bridge firmly in the hunt for European qualification, and Eddie Howe’s team will undoubtedly provide a stern test for Chelsea.

In the meantime, it appears that a fan favourite could soon be on his way out of the West London club.

According to Football Insider, contract talks between the club and midfielder Conor Gallagher have completely stalled.

Gallagher faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge

It is claimed that Chelsea aren’t able to meet Gallagher’s demands due to their financial position, and they could now look to sell the 24-year-old before 30 June so that his fee contribute towards this year’s books.

Gallagher is a product of the Blues’ youth academy and broke into the first team at the start of last season after a number of loan spells elsewhere.

In total he has made 81 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, 36 of which have been this season.

The England international has also captained Pochettino’s side on a number of occasions, in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Last summer and during the recent January transfer window, Gallagher was linked with a shock move to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but nothing materialised.

It is claimed that Spurs will reignite their interest in the player this summer and will once again try to lure him away from Stamford Bridge.

The midfielder’s current contract is set to run until the end of next season, but the report claims that talks over an extension have reached an ‘impasse’.