Chelsea star Conor Gallagher could still leave Stamford Bridge before the window closes if the Blues end up signing a midfielder, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Gallagher made his first ever competitive start for his boyhood club at Leeds last weekend, but it remains unclear whether he'll stay with Chelsea for the rest of the season.

What's the latest news involving Gallagher?

Despite finally getting his chance under Thomas Tuchel, Gallagher is 'tempted' by the possibility of another loan deal after spending last season at Crystal Palace.

Gallagher played 64 minutes at Elland Road, but was hauled off with Chelsea trailing, with Tuchel's side eventually slipping to a 3-0 defeat. He then endured an even worse outing against Leicester City, picking up a red card in the first half of his team's 2-1 win.

GiveMeSport The Verdict

GiveMeSport The Verdict

His opportunity against Leeds came about following Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante's injuries, but his game-time and chances of starting could reduce once again when those two are fully fit.

And the Evening Standard believe that £50m-rated Gallagher is considering the idea of spending the campaign out on loan, with a temporary switch away likely to improve his chances of going to the World Cup.

Phillips reckons that Gallagher's future could hinge on whether Chelsea manage to sign a midfielder but failed to rule out the ex-West Brom and Charlton loanee leaving before 1 September regardless.

What did Phillips say about Gallagher?

He told GIVEMESPORT "This is one where if Chelsea do go and sign another midfielder, then Gallagher I think could still leave.

"He's definitely got interest from Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Everton, just a few of the teams that have expressed serious interest this window, so I don't think that one is decided yet, I think Gallagher could still leave."

Can Chelsea afford to lose Gallagher?

Despite several departures this summer, including Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea haven't actually weakened in midfield.

Tuchel's four main options remain Kovacic, Kante, Loftus-Cheek and Jorginho, meaning Gallagher leaving would still leave them with four centre midfielders.

Whether that is enough depth, especially with Kante's injuries becoming more frequent, remains to be seen, but Chelsea could probably afford to lose Gallagher and cope without him.

But with Frenkie de Jong being linked with a move to west London, it suggests that Tuchel isn't completely satisfied with his midfield options, which could end up forcing Gallagher to stick around.