Chelsea refuse to sell midfielder to rivals Spurs

Chelsea will face Championship side Middlesborough over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next month. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side progressed to the last four courtesy of a penalty shoot-out victory over fellow Premier League side Newcastle United on Tuesday evening.

The Magpies lead for the much of the game and, despite Chelsea’s pressure, it wasn’t until added time that the hosts forced a draw when Mykhaylo Mudryk capitalised on a Kieran Trippier error.

Trippier and Matt Ritchie then missed their spotkicks, sending Pochettino’s side into the final four of the competition.

Middlesborough, who defeated Port Vale in the quarter-finals, will welcome the Blues to The Riverside for the first leg before travelling south for the second leg a fortnight later.

With the January transfer window also fast approaching, it appears that Chelsea have made a big decision on the future of one of their midfielders.

As per Football Insider, the Blues will refuse to sell Conor Gallagher to rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Gallagher is expected to stay at Chelsea beyond next month

The 23-year-old has played an integral role for Pochettino’s side so far this season, but has been heavily linked with a departure from West London.

In total the Englishman has made 20 appearances across all competitions so far this season, captaining the Blues on a number of occasions in the absence of both Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Spurs held an interest in Gallagher during the recent summer transfer window and, although Chelsea did consider a sale, the player ultimately stayed put at Stamford Bridge.

While Chelsea are still reluctant to sell Gallagher next month, the report claims that a potential move to Tottenham has collapsed at the first hurdle as the Blues do now want to strengthen one of their biggest rivals.

West Ham United, who had previously shown an interest in Gallagher, are also believed to have ended their interest after being priced out of a move for the England international.