Chelsea stars frustrated by plans to break up the defence

Just months after winning the Champions League, things have become a little unusual at Chelsea. A number of players are likely to leave on free transfers at the end of the season, with Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger seeing their current contracts expire in June.

Another player in that same position is Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta. The versatile defender is club captain at Stamford Bridge, but his contract is still to be renewed and he has attracted interest from both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in LaLiga Santander.

According to Eurosport, a number of players in the Chelsea squad are confused as to why their captain's future is still up in the air, particularly with Rudiger and others looking likely to head for the exit in the summer.

From January 1, Azpilicueta and the other players with expiring contracts will be able to talk to clubs freely ahead of making a move next summer at the end of their current deals.

No concerns for Azpilicueta

"I don't have any concerns," Azpilicueta said earlier in the year when asked about his contract situation.

"I feel fully trusted by the club since I arrived.

"Everything will take care of itself. I don't need to say anything more. I have to keep doing what I am doing and it will come by itself.

"Of course, I love to be here. I feel loved since I arrived and my aim is to be here for as long as I can be."

A lot up in the air at Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel recently spoke out and urged Christensen to sign a new deal in West London, with the general belief at the club that the Dane will pen a new contract, but there's less hope around Rudiger.

With Real Madrid waiting to make a move in January, many expect the German to depart.

Given his importance to the side since his 2017 arrival from Roma, Chelsea might be best served looking to hang on to Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva to provide experience from their positions of seniority at the club and in football.

For now, though, there's a lot still to be decided at Chelsea, but their captain's future has caused unrest in the dressing room.

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