BIG PRIORITY
Chelsea must not slow efforts to tie down Rudiger and Christensen just because Silva has signed new deal, warns Johnson
FORMER Chelsea player Glen Johnson is pleased Thiago Silva signed a new contract but he urged The Blues to tie up other stars.
Several players' contracts are expiring at the end of the season, including defenders Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.
2
2
And although Chelsea extended Thiago Silva's stay by a further year earlier this month, there is plenty of work to be done.
Johnson told : "I don’t think Thiago Silva staying eases the pressure off keeping Rüdiger - I think Chelsea still need to sign Rüdiger to a new contract.
"Silva has only signed for another year and he can’t play every single week.
"They’ve done well to keep him but I think Chelsea need to make sure Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger are kept long-term as well.
"Silva has been fantastic since he came to Chelsea. Helping all the young players, the guy’s got experience coming out of his ears, and he’s still enjoying his football.
"It’s great that he’s signed another year.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
It is proving difficult for Chelsea to extend the duo's contracts.
Rudiger has been in fine form this season and has attracted the attention of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
But the German is willing to renew his Blues contract as long as he receives his desired £200k a week salary.
And Chelsea are preparing fresh talks with the defender after he rejected a previous offer.
Christensen, however, looks like he could be heading for an exit as Borussia Dortmund have made the Dane their top transfer target.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Topics