Chelsea 'planning new contracts for midfield trio'

Chelsea are reportedly hoping to tie midfield trio N'Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mason Mount down to new deals at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are thought to be prioritising the futures of their centre-backs at present, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both due to become free agents in 2022.

While Rudiger's situation is far from certain, Christensen is supposedly on the brink of agreeing a new £120k-a-week deal with the club, which would then allow Chelsea to focus on other areas of the pitch.

Kante and Jorginho's deals in West London are due to expire in under two years' time, and the Evening Standard claims that Chelsea are keen to secure their futures soon.

With Mount's deal not due to expire until 2024, the report adds that there is 'less urgency' over the playmaker, but he can expect a bumper pay rise should he put pen to paper on fresh terms.

However, a separate report has claimed that Chelsea are planning for life without Kante and have identified AC Milan's Franck Kessie as the Frenchman's successor.