Chelsea to begin new contract talk with Andreas Christensen

Chelsea are reportedly planning to offer defender Andreas Christensen a new deal as a reward for his stunning form under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Dane, who has been at Stamford Bridge since 2012, has a contract that is due to expire at the end of next season.

While talks have not yet started, Chelsea are aware other clubs around Europe will be monitoring the situation and do not want to lose the 24-year-old.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are now 'expected' to open talks over a new contract as a reward for his impressive performances under the club's new manger.

Christensen has been a key player for Tuchel since he came into the team in early February, replacing Thiago Silva in the win at Tottenham.

He has missed just one league game since then and, in the seven games he has been involved in, Tuchel's side have conceded just one goal.

That impressive run of form includes clean sheets against Tottenham, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Christensen was in and out of the team under former manager Frank Lampard, who continually rotated his defenders as none of them did enough to stake a claim to be a regular started.

Chelsea are thought to be keen on strengthening their defensive options in the summer and been heavily linked with moves for RB Leipzig's Ibrahima Konate and David Alaba, who is leaving Bayern Munich this summer.

Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta, who have been playing alongside Christensen in defence, are also both out of contract next summer and it remains to be seen whether they will be given new deals.

Thiago Silva has the option to extend his deal by another 12 months while Fikayo Tomori looks likely to leave permanently for AC Milan in the summer after his impressive start to life in Italy.