Chelsea in talks with teenage defender Andreas Christensen over contract extension

Chelsea are in talks with teenage defender Andreas Christensen over a new long term contract.

Christensen, 18, made his senior debut for the Blues in October and is regarded as one of the clubs brightest prospects.

The Denmark under-21 international has two years remaining on his current deal having penned a four year contract upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2012.

But such is Chelsea's faith in the defender that they are ready to offer him a new long-term deal which will see him earn a salary similar to that of Kurt Zouma, the club's other prodigious defender who signed for the club from Saint Etienne in January.

Christensen's father and agent Sten Christensen confirmed the talks, telling Danish newspaper BT: "It is true that we had a meeting on Tuesday. We are in positive dialogue with Chelsea, but I do not want to say any more. It is a matter that we will take internally with Chelsea."

Christensen has been retained in the Chelsea squad this season after Jose Mourinho opted to allow the club's other highly rated defender, Tomas Kalac, to leave for FC Cologne on a season-long deal.

While the Dane has been limited to just one appearance for the club this season, he has regularly trained with the first team having been advised to bulk up this term.

"He (Mourinho) asked me to focus [more] on my physique. So that is what I am doing right now," Christensen said at the beginning of the season.

With John Terrry, Gary Cahill and Zouma currently ahead of him in the pecking order, Christensen's chances this season are likely to remain limited.

But the Blues skipper has tipped the Dane to eventually replace him at the heart of Chelsea's defence.

"Believe me, I am sure that he will be a top footballer and one of the future men for Chelsea." Terry told TV2 Sporten in October.

"I talk to him daily, train with him and try to give him as much advice as I can. I have always told him that he should chase me and knock me off the team. He should be hungry to take my place in the team.

"For me, Andreas is a brilliant footballer and he will certainly get his chance at Chelsea."