Chelsea squad worried by Cesar Azpilicueta's contract saga

The Chelsea squad are growing concerned by Cesar Azpilicueta's continued contract saga, 90min has been told.

The 32-year-old club captain is approaching the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge, and although talks over a new deal began a few months ago, an agreement over fresh terms is yet to be reached.

With January creeping up, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both readying moves to try to bring Azpilicueta in on a free transfer, and sources have confirmed to 90min that some in the Stamford Bridge dressing room are worried by how long things have dragged on.

Azpilicueta is keen to stay at Chelsea and is not concerned by his relative lack of minutes this season. The emergence of young Trevoh Chalobah and form of Reece James have seen the veteran Spaniard transition into more of a backup role this year, but Azpilicueta recognises the need for high levels of competition in every position.

He is ready to sign an extension and is committed to fighting to regain his spot in the team, but the main thing Azpilicueta is pushing for is more than simply a 12-month contract.

The Blues have a long history of hesitating to offer longer than one year to anybody over the age of 30, although they have broken their own policy in reason years. David Luiz signed a two-year deal before joining Arsenal in 2019, while Willian turned down a three-year contract before his departure in 2020.

Many in the squad believe that Azpilicueta should have been offered a long-term extension by now, given his importance in the dressing room and role as spokesperson for the squad in conversations with the board.

Barcelona and Atletico are both readying moves in January, but Azpilicueta would prefer to stay at Chelsea and will give the Blues more time to prove their commitment to him.

The underlying feeling is that Azpilicueta will eventually put pen to paper on a new deal at Chelsea, but the delays and outside interest have left some fearing the worst.