Thomas Tuchel believes decisions over the futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho must be made this summer – one way or the other – so that Chelsea do not endure another season of uncertainty over two key members of the first-team squad.
Kante and Jorginho have been the go-to central midfield pairing for Tuchel since the German took charge at Stamford Bridge 14 months ago. The duo were imperious throughout the Champions League knockout stages last term and were huge factors as to why the Blues claimed the big-eared trophy in Porto in May
Both have remained key figures this term – and started in midweek against Real Madrid. Yet as things stand, the contracts of Kante and Jorginho expire in the summer of 2023 and talks have been unable to take place over new deals with Chelsea working under a strict government licence after Roman Abramovich was sanctioned as part of the UK's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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What also has to be considered is the age of the two midfielders; Kante celebrated his 31st birthday earlier this month while Jorginho turned 30 in December. Chelsea have traditionally only offered players in their thirties one-year contract extensions, although that policy may change under the club's new ownership.
What is clear, however, is Tuchel wants the futures of his two midfielders sorted. Another season of constant speculation – as has been the case this term with Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – is the last thing the German says a top-level coach enjoys.
"Nobody wants that with big players and important players nowadays," the Blues boss said ahead of his side's Premier League trip to Southampton. "It's a wish as a coach that we solve this in the summer in any way, that we solve it and it's clear where the journey is and what the decision is. Yes, this is the wish.
"[If not] we have the same talks that we have had about Toni and Andreas. You just swap the names. We would talk about it through winter and then comes January, and then agents are talking to this club and the brother another. It would be nice if we can avoid it but at the moment it's difficult [because of the sanctions]. But this should be the target for all of us."
