Thomas Tuchel has provided updates on the contract talks of his defenders; Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta, while Chelsea are desperate to keep both stars in their team.
Antonio Rudiger’s agent was captured in Barcelona during the week discussing a free transfer move to the Catalans’ side.
The German would join fellow centre-back Andreas Christensen, who is believed to have agreed to move to join Xavi’s side at the expiration of his contract in June.
However the Tuchel is confident that the west London outfit will hang on to club captain Azpilicueta whose contract has been extended by a year, after the versatile Spanish defender played in a certain number of games this season.
“It’s a good thing,” said Tuchel of Azpilicueta’s extended contract that takes him through to the summer of 2023.“ It’s good news for us.”
“I knew it was going to happen because I knew the amount of games when it was going to happen.
“We have a contract, he’s our captain, so there’s a very high probability that he will stay.”
While it’s positive for Blues supporters that the 32-year-old former Marseille defender will likely remain at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel is less sure on the future of Rudiger.
Although he remains confident that the German international will also stay in London this summer once the ownership issues at the club have been addressed.
Tuchel said: “I would try to meet him [Rudiger] if I were any other club.
“He’s our player and I still think we have a good chance he stays our player once things are solved for us.
“Our hands are tied, we cannot offer him or negotiate or renegotiate with his agents. But I’m still confident.”
The Blues are unable to offer new deals to players currently, as part of the sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich, but once new ownership comes in then that position will change.