The futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho remain up in the air this summer. The Chelsea midfield duo have recently entered the final 12 months of their respective contracts at Stamford Bridge.
Kante, who Thomas Tuchel dubbed Chelsea's own Kylian Mbappe earlier in the year, sees his contract with the west London club come to an end in June 2023. football.london understands there are yet to be any talks over a new contract between the Blues and the France international, but the club want him to extend his stay at the Bridge.
Meanwhile, Jorginho also sees his contract expire in June 2023. The Italian midfielder is more than content with his current role at Chelsea and is in no immediate rush to leave. However, football.london understands Chelsea would sell Jorginho if the right offer came their way.
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The likes of Juventus and fellow Italian clubs have been credited with an interest in Jorginho, but there is nothing advanced regarding the 30-year-old leaving Chelsea. Clubs have also been linked with Kante, but he looks set to stay for another season, at least at Chelsea.
Chelsea need to sort both midfielders' contracts out otherwise, they risk losing them on a free transfer next summer. If neither of the midfielders renew their contracts with the Blues, clubs from abroad will be allowed to negotiate a deal with them as early as the January transfer window for them to then join in the summer of 2023.
While focusing on those whose contracts expire next summer, Chelsea may well have one eye on those who are contracted until 2024. There are seven players who you would perhaps consider to have some value to Chelsea who see their deals expire in 2024.
Mason Mount
Chelsea are set to offer Mount a new and improved contract at Stamford Bridge. A source has told football.london. The 23-year-old Cobham graduate has developed himself into one of the club's most valuable players, and rumours over a departure are way off the mark. Mount is expected to become one of the club's highest earners if he does put pen to paper on a new contract.
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic's situation is a very interesting one. The American has an undeniable talent, and Chelsea supporters have seen that, albeit in glimpses, since his £57million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2019. At the moment, there are no immediate plans to hand the 23-year-old a new contract, but it will definitely be looked at over the next 12 months or so.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Hudson-Odoi struggled with injury problems last term and is eyeing a return to the first team in time for the new season that gets underway at the weekend. The three-time England international has been heavily involved under Tuchel in pre-season, but it remains to be seen whether he will feature prominently for the first time for the upcoming campaign. Hudson-Odoi is on big money, and unless he can prove himself as a valuable starter, Chelsea may be reluctant to offer him improved terms on his deal.
Mateo Kovacic
Kovacic has established himself as one of, if not the, most important player in the Chelsea squad. The Croatia international is absolutely integral for the Blues, and the club will be determined for the 28-year-old to extend his stay in west London. Common sense would suggest Kovacic will be one of the first names Chelsea look at when addressing what could become a mounting contract problem.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek is in a similar situation to the aforementioned Hudson-Odoi. He has bags of potential, and his talent is evident for all to see, but consistency has been his issue. He's been linked with a loan move away from Chelsea – yet again.
The 26-year-old needs to prove he has a future at the Blues with his performances on the pitch, as Tuchel said earlier in the year. football.london understands there has been big interest from Serie A clubs this window, but at the moment, Loftus-Cheek is content with his role at Chelsea.
Billy Gilmour
Gilmour spent last season on loan at Norwich City, but it was far from an ideal spell for the Chelsea midfielder. The Scotland international was in and out of the team at Carrow Road – and when he was in the side, the Canaries' form meant his development was somewhat scuppered.
The 21-year-old signed a new contract extension earlier in the summer after the Blues exercised an option in his deal, but his long-term future remains uncertain. It seems unlikely that Gilmour will be part of Tuchel's plans for the upcoming season.
Ethan Ampadu
Like Gilmour, fellow Cobham graduate Ampadu faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. Ampadu played and impressed during pre-season for the Blues but is being linked with yet another loan move away from the club.
football.london understands the introduction of any new centre-backs, with talks ongoing over a deal to sign Wesley Fofana, could have an impact on whether Ampadu is offloaded yet again this summer. The Wales international spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Venezia.
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