Chelsea keen to offer Andreas Christensen long-term deal to ward off suitors

Chelsea could open contract talks with Andreas Christensen as early as January 2018 in order to secure his long-term future, reports say.

Christensen, 21, has two-and-a-half years left on his Blues contract, but the club want to extend his deal further to ward off potential suitors.

The Denmark international has moved ahead of David Luiz in the Stamford Bridge pecking order following his impressive performances at the back for the Blues this season.

The London Evening Standard says Chelsea want to reward Christensen for his good form with improved terms before he joins up with Denmark for the World Cup next summer.

The Blues are also keen to agree new deals with Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois amid interest in the duo from Real Madrid.

Christensen has been tipped to have a bright future in the game by Chelsea's backroom staff, with the club's loan technical coach Eddie Newton drawing favourable comparisons between the Dane and John Terry.

"Andreas is a player that we can definitely have here for the next 10 years," Newton said. "He is another John Terry for me, and has that same kind of stature because he has got that ability.

"This season, he stepped in against Tottenham and Manchester United and it was like he has been there all his life. He is an incredible footballer and one this club should keep hold of very tightly."

Christensen joined Chelsea from Danish club Brondby on a free transfer in 2012. He spent two seasons on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach before returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The Denmark defender's current deal at Chelsea is reported to be worth £35,000 ($47,000) per week.

Blues captain Gary Cahill last week praised Christensen as a natural defender whom he enjoyed playing with.

"You don't have to worry every two minutes what he's doing or what he's up to or telling him to go here or go there. And that's a worrying factor," Cahill was reported as saying.

"I think it's one of the positive things you don't have to do. You feel you can leave him to play his own game."