Newcastle United have already been told by Graham Potter their chances of landing Chelsea trio

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has already given an insight into his views on Newcastle United transfer targets Conor Gallagher, Hakim Ziyech and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

The Telegraph recently reported the Magpies were considering making a move for the Blues trio as Potter looks to trim his squad at Stamford Bridge. The former Brighton and Hove Albion boss has already added young forward David Fofana and reported Magpies targets Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile and Mykhailo Mudryk to his squad during the first half of the January transfer window.

All three reported United targets have all endured frustrating seasons so far and have spent large parts of the campaign trying to force their way into the side under Potter and predecessor Thomas Tuchel. That led to speculation England duo Loftus-Cheek and Gallagher and Morocco winger Ziyech could be among those departing the club by the end of the transfer window.

“He was a little bit away”

With just five starts in all competitions so far this season, winger Ziyech has cut a frustrated figure during the opening half of the campaign.

The arrival of Potter offered him some hope and the former Ajax man has been handed four starts over the last month. The Blues boss has revealed his admiration for the 29-year-old and hoped he would be patient as further opportunities lie in wait.

Speaking after Ziyech helped Morocco embark on a historic run to the semi-final of the World Cup Finals, Potter said: “He was a little bit away from the first XI when we arrived at the club. But he’s been involved and we know his qualities. We like him as a player, and he’s someone who plays in between the lines.

“You can always speak a lot at Chelsea, because there will always be good players that aren’t in the starting XI, and you have to be patient. But we’ve been delighted with him, and delighted for him at the World Cup, I’ve kept in touch with him over the tournament. He’s a good guy and he’s got quality.”

“He’s clearly benefitted from game-time”

Linked with a move to Tyneside during Rafa Benitez’s managerial reign, Loftus-Cheek has found himself on the sidelines with a calf injury over the last month. However, the 10-times capped England midfielder had been something of a regular since Potter’s arrival, featuring in a number of roles after the former Brighton boss was named as successor to Thomas Tuchel.

Potter praised the versatile midfielder earlier in the season after he missed out on a place in the England squad for the World Cup Finals in Qatar, saying: “He’s really impressed me, on and off the pitch. He’s a very humble guy, he wants to learn, he wants to improve. He’s clearly benefited from game time but, at the same time, the way he’s trained has been really, really good. He’s played and it’s allowed him to build his fitness up. He needs a good fitness level to carry that big body of his around the pitch.

“His quality’s there. He’s fantastic on the ball, great physicality, great athlete. I think he’s putting himself into a situation where he’ll be one of the players Gareth will be looking at as an outsider into the squad. But that’s Gareth’s decision.”

“He’s been frustrated”

Gallagher was a reported target for former Magpies manager Steve Bruce and is believed to have admirers within the hierarchy at St James Park. Newcastle were reportedly keen to add the former Crystal Palace loanee to their squad during the summer transfer window and they have been linked with a similar move this month. However, Potter has recently drawn praise from Potter, who revealed the midfielder had been ‘frustrated’ by his lack of opportunities during the campaign.

Speaking after the England star put in an eye-catching display against Crystal Palace at the weekend, the Blues boss said: “I thought he was fantastic; great energy and great quality,” said Potter after the game. “He was playing against a team he respects and likes a lot.

“He’s been frustrated because he hasn’t had the game time that he would like but at the same time, he’s worked unbelievably professionally to support the team. So it’s nice today that he’s got that reward and was part of a winning performance.”