5 Things Learned: Chelsea 2-1 Leicester City | Premier League

Raheem Sterling's first two Chelsea goals saw the Blues come out 2-1 victors at home to Leicester City.

Conor Gallagher was dismissed in the first half, receiving two yellows for cynical fouls to break down Leicester attacks.

Reece James and Ruben Loftus-Cheek both had chances to open the scoring in the first half but were unable to convert.

Sterling netted his first goal for the Blues in the second half, seeing a shot deflected off Daniel Amartey and over Danny Ward to give Chelsea the lead in the second half.

Sterling bagged a trademark finish for the winger, following up to convert into an open net from a yard out.

Harvey Barnes netted a consolation goal for Leicester, as Chelsea came away with all three points in the Premier League clash.

Raheem Sterling netted his first and second Chelsea goals against Leicester. (Alamy)

Here are five things Absolute Chelsea learned from the encounter:

1) Conor Gallagher's future may be elsewhere

Gallagher has been trusted from the start in both of Chelsea's last matches in a pivot with Jorginho. The pair were overran against Leeds United in an embarrassing 3-0 defeat. On his full Chelsea home debut, the Cobham graduate was keen to get off to a good start, rushing out to challenge for the ball. While he made some great early challenges, the midfielder was desperate to make his mark and he made it in the wrong way. Serving a suspension, Gallagher will miss Chelsea's trip to Southampton, a match which would have been his last chance to impress before the end of the transfer window. With interest from Everton and West Ham United, among others, the midfielder could find himself back out on loan, if not sold, by the end of the window. Thomas Tuchel would not have been impressed by the dismissal, coming when Chelsea were on top, and with Mateo Kovacic returning, perhaps Gallagher could be used in exchange for Everton's Anthony Gordon as the Blues seek attacking reinforcements.

Conor Gallagher was dismissed for a second yellow card against Leicester. (Alamy)

2) Billy Gilmour and Ethan Ampadu could be handed Chelsea lifeline

With Gallagher's dismissal, Kovacic was the only midfielder named on the Chelsea bench. N'Golo Kante has been ruled out for at least four weeks with injury and Jorginho has become even more key in the centre of the park. Against Southampton, Chelsea will have Jorginho, Kovacic who is not fully fit, and Loftus-Cheek available for selection as traditional midfield options. Ethan Ampadu, who was named on the bench, can feature in the role while Gilmour has not been handed a first team number this season. However, Gallagher's dismissal could pave the way for the Scotland international to return to the squad against Southampton, a more natural fit in the number six role for Chelsea. Either Gilmour or Ampadu could be handed the opportunity to impress, and must grasp it with both hands before the end of the transfer window.

3) A change of system could change Chelsea's attacking fortunes as Sterling proves himself

Lining up with a back four, Chelsea looked dangerous until Gallagher's dismissal. The Blues were awarded a penalty as Loftus-Cheek was brought down, while James smashed the post towards the end of the first half. A change to a back four, and a system that Sterling is more familiar with, could see Tuchel get the best out of the forwards currently at the club, and those still to join. Grabbing his first two goals since his arrival, Sterling proved why Chelsea were right to prioritise him this season. Creating a goal out of nothing for his first, the winger got in his trademark position to grab his second. If this was last season, nobody would have been in the area that Sterling was to convert. If Chelsea can continue to create, Sterling will no doubt score.

4) Chelsea are right to block Trevoh Chalobah's exit

With news that Chelsea will no longer allow Chalobah to leave, he was named in the starting XI for the first time this season, and impressed. Playing on the right of a two-man central defence in the first half, Chalobah looked solid alongside Thiago Silva and the pair weren't troubled. After Gallagher's dismissal, Chalobah still looked calm both in possession and when defending and has shown that he still has a part to play this season despite Wesley Fofana's imminent arrival.

5) Ruben Loftus-Cheek takes his chance

Nobody whould have predicted Loftus-Cheek being one of the first names on the team sheet for Tuchel at the beginning of the season. Missing Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States, it appeared that he may be replaced by the likes of Gallagher, but once again Loftus-Cheek has stepped up and fought for his place. His versatility has given Tuchel the option to utilise him in a hybrid role as a wing-back/midfielder, and Loftus-Cheek has delivered when called upon. With James set to return to wing-back after the arrival of Fofana, Loftus-Cheek could move into midfield to cover for the absent Kante as he looks to have earned his place in the Chelsea squad for the season.