Conor Gallagher remains determined to stay and fight for his Chelsea future after the Blues lost fellow midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka to a knee injury, 90min understands.
Chukwuemeka will be sidelined for at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on an injury he picked up in the 3-1 defeat to West Ham United, adding to the midfield dilemma faced by Mauricio Pochettino this season.
While Chelsea have been open to offers for Gallagher, 90min understands the academy graduate is desperate to prove himself to his boyhood club and could be given the chance to do so after Chukwuemeka was sidelined.
Pochettino is known to be a huge fan of Gallagher, who has started both Chelsea's Premier League games so far this season, and is pushing for the England international to be handed a new contract to replace his current deal, which has under two years left to run.
Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are all long-term admirers of Gallagher but the 23-year-old hopes to continue playing under Pochettino and cement himself as a crucial part of the Chelsea first team.
Another academy graduate, left-back Ian Maatsen, is also likely to stay at Chelsea beyond this summer. The Dutchman has impressed Pochettino and came off the bench in an attacking role in the season-opener against Liverpool.
READ MORE FROM 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM
As for outgoings, Chelsea are expected to send midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu out on loan. The 19-year-old joined from Rennes for a fee of £23m earlier this summer and could be sent back to Ligue 1 with fellow BlueCo side Strasbourg.
Callum Hudson-Odoi remains available for transfer but saw talks between Chelsea and Fulham over a sale hit a stumbling block. Nottingham Forest are among a list of alternative suitors but there is still work to be done to get a sale over the line.
Forest are also keen on centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, who could leave after the signing of Axel Disasi pushed him down the pecking order. Chalobah has plenty of interest from overseas as well and all parties are looking for the best option available.
Romelu Lukaku and Malang Sarr are on the transfer list at Stamford Bridge. Both are training with the Under-21 team alongside Hudson-Odoi.
FIFA rules state that clubs can send just seven senior players out on overseas loans this season. Chelsea have used five of those spots on Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech, David Datro Fofana, Gabriel Slonina and Angelo, and are expected to use another on 18-year-old Brazilian striker Deivid Washington after his move from Santos goes through.
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST
On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Graeme Bailey to discuss Liverpool signing Wataru Endo, Man Utd's difficulty selling players and West Ham's pursuit of Mohammed Kudus - and more!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
This article was originally published on 90min as Conor Gallagher keen to fight for Chelsea future after Carney Chukwuemeka injury.
