14 Chelsea players with contracts up within the next 2 years
The club have some big decisions to make, let's have a look at what they will do
Thomas Tuchel recently described N’Golo Kante as ‘a gift’ and a ‘world class player,’ two things that are absolutely undeniable.
However, the France world cup winner is one of 14 Chelsea players whose futures at the club are under question, purely because they have contracts running out in 2 years time.
Kante’s contract runs out in the summer of 2023, so there is not immediate danger. However, it will be something that needs addressing.
The club will usually now only offer over 30s a 1-year extension, although they have been known to break their own rules.
The way Kante is going, they should probably look to break their own rule.
The midfielder turns 30 in a matter of days, and the way he is playing right now after managing to come through a number of injury niggles, you’d imagine the club will want to tie him down until his mid-30s.
Selling him has been pondered by the club in recent years, but Kante remains happy at Stamford Bridge and the club know that how important he is. There will be a decision to make here with this summer being the only real time they could get a massive fee for him.
I believe he will stay.
Which others players have contracts until 2023?
Billy Gilmour (2023) - I understand Chelsea will be offering him a lucrative new extension soon.
Marcos Alonso (2023) - The 30-year old has proven he still has a lot to offer in a wing back role. He’s gone from being a dead cert to leave this summer, to perhaps someone they will now want to keep, with Emerson Palmieri looking likely to go.
Kurt Zouma (2023) - Similar situation to Alonso, apart from the mirror opposite. Zouma now looks like the most likely centre back to be sold this summer, as things stand.
Tammy Abraham (2023) - Our guy Dan McCarthy has all the information you need to know on that situation here.
Jorginho (2023) - I feel he could leave the club this summer, with a new defensive midfielder being targeted.
How about those contracts running out next summer?
Charly Musonda (2022) - The miracle man who is close to returning to group training at Chelsea after a ‘career ending’ injury. It’s impossible to call this, it all depends on how he performs when he comes back.
Emerson Palmieri (2022) - I am confident he will be sold this summer.
Cesar Azpilicueta (2022) - The club captain actually became a little unhappy when he wasn’t playing, so his future depends on his role at the club. He wants to play as much as possible in the latter stages of his career. Chelsea value him massively.
Antonio Rudiger (2022) - Rudiger is undecided on whether he wants to stay or not and will make a decision in the summer. The club are similarly undecided. Tuchel loves him.
Andreas Christensen (2022) - Christensen is more than happy to stay at Chelsea and enjoys it here. But again, his decision will always depend on game time.
Finally, three months until these contracts end…
Willy Caballero (2021) - The 39-year old will probably go for one last swansong in the MLS this summer, a move he has had on his mind since January.
Olivier Giroud (2021) - He wants to play much more than he is now, he will leave this summer I am pretty sure of that.
Thiago Silva (2021) - Chelsea and Silva both have an option to extend by another year, but both have to want to do it. They’ve been speaking and thinking about it over the last week or so, I am fairly confident it will be extended very soon.
Plenty of big decisions to make, and the board have been speaking to Thomas Tuchel over the last week or so regarding these decisions.
Nothing will be decided right now.
Written by Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport)
Better than Athletic 🤗 !!
Great Article, glad it isn't biased towards a certain party, for good or bad.