The reigning UEFA Champions League winners, Chelsea are sweating to keep their top defenders – Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, and Antonio Rudiger beyond the 2022 Summer transfer window.
The less complicated case among the three defenders is that of Thiago Silva. Just like other aforementioned defenders, the 37-year-old Brazilian defender has until June 30, 2022, before his contract with Chelsea expires.
Even though he has passed his prime, the Brazilian defender has been a very important member of Thomas Tuchel’s squad since he joined the club in 2020 from Paris Saint Germain.
Recall that his initial contract with Chelsea ought to expire in the summer of 2021 but had to be extended because of his consistent performance. He signed a year extension as he helped the club to win the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League title.
Hence, Chelsea are planning to offer him another one-year contract extension if Thiago Silva’s demands are not too outrageous for the club.
All things being equal, Silva’s good relationship with coach Tuchel who coached him at PSG between 2018 and 2020, is seen as an advantage that could make the Brazilian tie his future down at Chelsea a bit longer.
Chelsea are preparing their new contract proposal for Thiago Silva. New deal until June 2023 to be completed soon. Sources see his contract extension as ‘matter of time’ 🔵 #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 12, 2021
Thiago Silva wants to stay as he’s loving Chelsea life – board and Tuchel are ‘super happy’ with him. pic.twitter.com/8wtTbch1z1
In the case of Andreas Christensen, Chelsea have been sweating to make him sign a four-year contract extension amid interest from AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 25-year-old Denmark defender has not been playing as regularly as he wanted which could be a reason that might tempt him to leave Chelsea on a free transfer when his contract expires on June 30, 2022.
However, reports from the London-based club claimed that Chelsea are close to agreeing on a deal with both Christensen and Silva.
Hence, Chelsea could announce Silva’s contract extension in the coming weeks. But that of Christensen is said to be a priority for the Premier League side.
Meanwhile, the case of Antonio Rudiger has proven to be the most complicated of them all. The contract of the 28-year-old German defender will expire on June 30, 2022, which means that the fearless defender will be free to leave the club on a free transfer next summer.
But Chelsea are not ready to allow him to go so easily. However, the demands of the German international have made the contract extension talks drag on.
According to reports, Rudiger who reportedly earns about £100,000-per-week at the club wants nothing less than £400,000-per-week from Chelsea before he would sign a new deal at the club.
But Chelsea are not willing to pay him such a huge some of wages despite being one of the most important players at the club.
Hence, Real Madrid look like the defender’s most likely destination if Chelsea are not able to settle things with the German before next summer.
The latest reports from Spain claimed that FC Barcelona have joined the race for the defender. The Spanish giants are reportedly interested in Rudiger and other two Chelsea players – César Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic.
Azpilicueta’s reign at the London club seems to be coming to an end as the Blues are reportedly not ready to extend the contract of the 32-year-old Spanish defender when it expires next summer.
