There has been no shortage of things to do for Todd Boehly and Chelsea's new ownership group since they took charge in the summer. There was a first transfer window, where the US-businessman took the role of interim-sporting director, not long followed by a change in manager - and there have been a plethora of backroom appointments since.
Contract issues have not been far away from the agenda either. The Blues set out Reece James' contract as a priority and got the wingback to extend his deal with the club in September, despite there being time to run on his deal.
The likes of Thiago Silva, N'Golo Kante and Jorginho all currently look set to enter the final six months of their deal, much like Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen did last year. Chelsea lost the latter players for free last summer, leaving the new owners with a hefty task in replenishing the defence in their opening weeks. You would suspect they would not want to go through that process too often.
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While Silva, Kante and Jorginho's deals are not an issues of the new owner's making, they still need to be resolved and there will be no easy decisions to make from any party. However, a number of other contracts are on the horizon of entering their final 18 months and Boehly and co will not want to risk losing players for free once again, now they are in control.
football.london takes a look at those whose contracts could pose the Blues' problems in the near future and the moves Boehly and co need to consider.
Mason Mount - Alongside James, Mount's deal was deemed a priority to resolve having last extended his deal in 2019 after returning from loan at Derby. There's little consideration that the Blues' will hope to see him stay beyond 2024, though an issue over the length of a new deal is believed to have held up talks.
Mateo Kovacic - The Croatian has soldiered on through injury this term after possibly being the Blues most impressive central midfielder in 2021/22. His own future has perhaps been overshadowed as Kante and Jorginho's deals wait to be resolved, but given his age, his may be the most important.
Chelsea's midfield needs refreshing however, and the decision on that duo and whether Chelsea make any new signings in January or the summer will inform much of the negotiating position with Kovacic.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - The forward just joined in the summer, and in some regard felt a last-minute stop-gap as it did not look initially like Chelsea were interested in signing a striker. Armando Broja's development as well as progress over a deal for Christopher Nkunku could impact the potential of the striker extending his stay. The former Arsenal forward will have to prove himself with his goal tally this term to convince the Blues in one direction or another.
Christian Pulisic - Given the US international was considering a move elsewhere in the summer, extending Pulisic's deal may be some way down the priority list at the moment. However, January may offer the last opportunity for the Blues to have strength in a negotiating position to sell the winger.
He has shown some hint of form before the World Cup break, and appears impressed by Graham Potter since his arrival. Pulisic said: "He’s been good. He’s come in and the way he’s worked with the players and communicated with the players has impressed me the most. We had a great start with him.
“We’ve had some difficulties in recent weeks but I think he’s working through it and I think the guys have received him quite well. We’re excited. There’s going to be good things going forward.”
So, maybe there could be a future for Pulisic yet. Uncertainty will not help the Blues in either negotiating a contract or transfer however.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - While the midfielder had threatened to fade into a second-choice option, 2022/23 has seen Loftus-Cheek find another gear. With N'Golo Kante injured, the former Crystal Palace and Fulham loanee has entered into Potter's midfield rotation and hinted at his quality.
The 26-year-old will have to sustain that to prove he is worth a new deal if he hopes to remain at Stamford Bridge, particular as the club's midfield enters a transition period.
Cesar Azpilicueta - The summer saw the Chelsea captain sign a new two-year deal when it had been generally expected that he could part ways with the club. With the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen putting the club under pressure at the back it soon become more sensible to attempt to persuade Azpilicueta to stay, and for his leadership to help aid a difficult transition.
June 2023 will see the veteran enter again into the position he was ahead of this term, and as the 31-year-old is very much a rotation option a strong consideration will need to be made on whether the Blues want to receive a fee or not.
Ethan Ampadu - Having extended his deal to 2024 ahead of going out on loan to Venezia, Ampadu has found himself back in Serie A this term with Spezia. The Wales international spent some time with the first team set up, but with a new boss at the helm Potter may hope to cast his own eye on the versatile star's qualities.
Having turned 22, Ampadu may see the next summer as pivotal for his career and whether he has the opportunity to remain at Chelsea or not. Entering the final 12 months of a deal may no be ideal for either party.
Tiemoue Bakayoko - The French midfielder has been a form of footballing purgatory at AC Milan this term. The former Monaco man is in the second year of a loan to the Serie A side, but has yet to play a minute despite frequently making the bench as Milan look to avoid activating an obligation to sign the player.
The current stasis will make finding a new club difficult for Bakayoko so efforts will be required if the Blues hope to receive some compensation for his inevitable departure.
Callum Hudson-Odoi - The young winger's move to Bayer Leverkusen on loan is crucial in the Cobham product earning the playing time he had hoped for this season. However, Boehly has made is clear he wants to see Hudson-Odoi back at Stamford Bridge and did not allow any option to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Hudson-Odoi and Potter will be sure to want to have their own assessments of each other come the end of the season, but if Boehly sees a future for the 22-year-old then a new contract will not have to be far away.
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