Chelsea 'consider selling key player in January to raise funds' in shock move

Chelsea could sell Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window, according to a report.

The midfielder has been a key player in Mauricio Pochettino's side this season, featuring in midfield and a number of times as captain amid Reece James' injuries and suspensions.

He's often been a player that Blues fans have been able to relate to with a high turnover of players taking place at the club, with Gallagher an academy graduate having been at the the club since the age of eight.

The two could be set to cut ties, however, claims the Daily Mail, in a shock move.

Chelsea have spent over £1billion on transfers since Todd Boehly took over the club last summer, but are 12th in the Premier League table amid another poor season so far.

Despite Gallagher's importance to current boss Pochettino, Chelsea could sell the 23-year-old in order to raise funds to buy more players in January.

Pochettino has stressed, following back-to-back defeats to Manchester United in the last week, that the club will look to do work in the winter to improve their fortunes.

The main issue arises regarding Gallagher's contract, which has 18 months remaining on it with little sign of negotiations starting. He may therefore be offloaded to raise money before his deal runs down.

The Blues have reportedly been struggling to keep within the financial rulings of the division and elsewhere, and it is understood they will be able to raise a sizeable fee for Gallagher should they sell. Tottenham and Newcastle were linked with him in the summer.

Conor Gallagher

Gallagher has made 63 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions having endured loan spells at the likes of Charlton, West Brom and Crystal Palace.

He has scored three goals in that time playing in a deeper central midfield position, though has ventured further forward this season.

He also has 11 England caps to his name having featured a number of times for his country at youth level.