Andreas Christensen ‘close’ to signing new long-term Chelsea contract — report

Amid all the transfer market hubbub, including the undying rumors about Jules Koundé’s potential signing or Kurt Zouma’s (probable?) departure — not to mention all the other noise like Saúl Ñíguez on loan — it’s important to remember that first and foremost, Chelsea are still trying to extend the contracts of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger.

And while the latter continues to dither in talks that began after his return from Euro 2020/1, the former is “thought to be close” to agreeing a new long-term contract, according to Matt Law’s latest round-up in the Telegraph.

The 25-year-old Academy graduate has re-emerged as a reliably and consistently excellent option under Thomas Tuchel, and not just as the deputy for Thiago Silva (whose fitness levels are always closely watched), but also starting multiple games alongside the legendary veteran, and most pertinently, right on track (seemingly) to be his long-term replacement going forward. Christensen has started both of our Premier League games so far this season, with Silva consigned only to bench duty.

It’s a similar story for Rüdiger as well, with both of them enjoying life under Tuchel much more so than under Frank Lampard, when it looked like they were set for the exit door. That sort of instability could be lending some doubt to them signing the contract offers that have been tabled, but hopefully they will agree sooner rather than later. (And hopefully Tuchel brings some stability for a bit longer as well.)

In addition to these two, we’ll also have some decisions to make regarding the contracts of César Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva in the near future, since those are up next summer as well. A changing of the guard at the position certainly could be in the offing, which is where the signing of someone like Koundé could come into play.