The Blues are facing the prospect of losing four central defenders for free next summer, with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, and Cesar Azpilicueta nearing the end of their respective deals.
Talks with the German are said to have stalled for some time now; the defender is dissatisfied with Chelsea’s latest renewal, as per several reports. The Athletic reveals that the club’s board are prepared to pay him a weekly wage of £140,000, but the centre-back is hoping to bank a deal in the region of £200,000 per week.
While staying at Stamford Bridge is thought to be Rudiger’s first choice, there is interest from elsewhere. Reports previously have claimed Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich to be among the clubs keeping an eye on the situation.
Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella reports that talks similarly have stalled with Christensen over a new contract. The Danish centre-back was previously thought to be close to penning a new contract. However, the latest reports claim that there has been no progress in that regard for the last two months.
Meanwhile, talks with Azpilicueta and Silva are yet to take place, but an initial conversation has taken place between the former and the club – reports The Athletic. There is hope that the Spaniard signs on with Chelsea, even if talks with him aren’t immediately on the agenda.
However, one central defender close to renewing his deal with Chelsea is Trevoh Chalobah. The Cobham graduate has been the surprise of the season so far for the Blues, after impressing Thomas Tuchel during pre-season and subsequently breaking into the first team. The youngster has already scored twice for his boyhood club in the league.
