Chelsea begin contract talks with in-form youngster

Bengaluru, December 19: Chelsea are preparing to open talks with defender Andreas Christensen over a new contract.

The Dane's current deal expires in 2020, but his impressive display in the backline has encouraged the Blues to tie the young defender down with a long-term deal.

The Evening Standard reports that Chelsea want to reward him for his fine performances with improved terms before he joins up with Denmark for the World Cup next summer.

The 21-year-old has kept the likes of David Luiz and even England centre-half Gary Cahill out of the first-team at times this season which is commandable.

Christensen joined the West London outfit in February 2012 from Brondby, and was earmarked early on to be a potential star of the future.

He spent the previous two season on loan at German club Borussia Monchedgladbach and there he was a regular and has grown as a defender immensely.

Christensen has started 16 games in all competitions for boss Antonio Conte and has impressed the fans and the manager immensely.

And former Chelsea man Eddie Newton, who now works as their loan technical coach, believes that the Dane is the "next John Terry".

Speaking to Chelsea TV Newton said: “Andreas is a player that we can definitely have here for the next 10 years.

"He is another John Terry for me, and has that same kind of stature because he has got that ability.

“This season, he stepped in against Tottenham and Manchester United and it was like he has been there all his life.

"He is an incredible footballer and one this club should keep hold of very tightly.”

Antonio Conte has also been highly impressed with the Danish international and has become a fan of his ball-playing abilities which he loves in his defenders.