Chelsea to open contract talks with Antonio Rudiger?

Chelsea are reportedly keen to agree a new contract with defender Antonio Rudiger.

Due to knee and groin injuries respectively, Rudiger has been restricted to just a 45-minute outing during the middle of September this season.

That has allowed Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori to establish themselves as Frank Lampard's first-choice pairing in the centre of defence.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are ready to instigate discussions with Rudiger over a fresh deal at Stamford Bridge.

While the former Roma man is tied to the West London outfit until 2021, Chelsea are aware that a number of their rivals are in the market for new defenders.

Having undergone groin surgery, Rudiger is expected to be back in contention during December.