Chelsea transfer news: Graham Potter gives Enzo Fernandez hope as Champions League issue looms – Football.London

Your morning Chelsea transfer window on Wednesday 18 January.

Enzo Fernandez hopes

Chelsea could still sign their dream midfielder this month, despite talks with Enzo Fernandez falling apart a few weeks ago. The 22-year-old seemed close to joining, but no agreement could be reached on a fee with Benfica.

His Benfica manager, Roger Schmidt, has said publicly that the matter is closed and no deal will be made this month, but given The Blues’ need for a new midfielder, this cannot be ruled out.

Graham Potter is looking to overhaul the center of the field as it has been largely neglected in recent years and Fernandez has been seen as the man to do so.

READ MORE:Todd Boehly has three Declan Rice alternatives if Chelsea handed Arsenal’s transfer

According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, things are not as closed as they seem. He said: “The people I speak to in Portugal who have close ties to Benfica tell me this one isn’t over simply because his head was turned in the window so much earlier.”

Read the full story here.

Champions League registration

There is no guarantee that all of Chelsea’s new signings will be able to play in the Champions League this season. The Blues face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 but face a tough decision on who to rely on.

Champions League rules allow clubs to enter three new players in time for the knockout rounds and Potter currently has 24 List A players.

Eight places in the squad are reserved for locally trained players, while four of those may be union trained players. This makes players from abroad particularly vulnerable given the profile of Chelsea’s signings to date.

Read the full story here.

Gallagher decides

Chelsea appear to be making a huge decision about Conor Gallagher’s future. The midfielder played against his old club this weekend, but is still in a precarious position at Stamford Bridge. football.london understands.

He has struggled to secure a place in the side this season, but he continued to be a regular substitute for Potter. With an established pedigree as a Premier League player and now in his third successive season in the top flight, Gallagher is once again attracting the attention of Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

“I thought he was fantastic; a lot of energy and great quality,” said Potter on Sunday after the 1-0 win. “He played against a team he respects and really likes.”

Read the full story here.

READ NEXT:

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Todd Boehly has three Declan Rice alternatives if Chelsea handed Arsenal’s transfer

Graham Potter can replicate Brighton’s success while Chelsea get an unexpected boost from Liverpool

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