Date: 12th April 2023 at 11:00am
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Chelsea face a huge test on Wednesday as they travel to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. 

The Blues arrive in the Spanish capital in the midst of a dismal run of form, having won just four of their last 20 Premier League matches.

Caretaker manager Frank Lampard’s second tenure in charge got off to a dismal start, too, as his side were beaten 1-0 by Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.

Now, it appears that Chelsea may face a battle to keep hold of one of their midfielders this summer.

According to The Evening Standard, West Ham United have identified midfielder Conor Gallagher as a potential replacement for the in-demand Declan Rice.

Rice, 24, is regarded by many as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and is expected to be the subject of intense interest when the transfer window reopens this summer, with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal said to be chasing the player.

With just over 12 months remaining on his contract, The Hammers may be forced to sell Rice in order to avoid losing him for free next summer, and they could then look to his England teammate Gallagher as a replacement.

Gallagher could be a target for West Ham United if they sell Declan Rice this summer

Gallagher, a product of The Blues’ youth academy, has impressed when given opportunities so far this season, making 35 appearances across all competitions.

The report claims that West Ham could also make a move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has endured a nightmare first season at The Etihad following a big money move from Leeds United last summer.

The Englishman has only started two matches across all competitions this term, and The Hammers are therefore hopeful that he would be allowed to leave The Etihad.

Rice has now made more than 230 appearances for West Ham, and has been the east London outfit’s captain since the departure of Mark Noble last summer.

Despite that, it appears increasingly likely that the England international will leave The London Stadium at the end of the current campaign.

 
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