Chelsea 'working on new contracts for three players including Antonio Rudiger'

Chelsea have opened contract talks with a trio of defenders, according to a report.

The current deals of Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen all expire next summer with extensions yet to be agreed.

Thomas Tuchel was on the hunt for a new centre-back over the summer but a late move for Jules Kounde collapsed, while Kurt Zouma and Marc Guehi left to join West Ham United and Crystal Palace respectively.

The Mirror states that the Blues are "working tirelessly" to convince Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen to commit their long-term futures to the club.

The report adds that Rudiger is currently the most likely of the three to leave Stamford Bridge, as Paris Saint-Germain are keen to sign him on a pre-contract agreement in January, while his representatives have had little contact from Chelsea.

This is Azpilicueta's 10th season as a Blue after signing from Marseille in 2012, while Christensen graduated from the club's academy having moved to England at the age of 16.