Chelsea reportedly want to hold talks with their defender Antonio Rudiger about his future.
According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are keen to “accelerate” discussions with the Germany international about him signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
It is understood that Frank Lampard’s side want to secure the 26-year-old’s long-term future by handing him a fresh deal.
The report details that there is concern rivals could pounce for his signature, with Manchester City and Tottenham both in need of a centre-back next summer.
Chelsea are prepared to show huge faith in their defender by giving him a new deal and clearly feel he’s got a major future at the club.
He’s played just one first-team match all season through injury and isn’t expected back until December.
Rudiger is currently on a £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) deal and is set to be offered an extension to commit his future.
The German powerhouse was a standout performer in defence last season for Chelsea and he would surely have been a regular starter under Lampard if not for his injury problems.
But he has plenty of work to do when he does return, as Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori have formed a brilliant partnership in the heart of defence recently.
It makes perfect sense for Chelsea to secure Rudiger’s long-term future if there are concerns about interest elsewhere and it should give him a personal boost too when he’s back to full fitness.
Lampard has already felt the benefits of a strong squad pushing each other and Rudiger will crank up competition in defence even more.
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