Progress slow for Chelsea as they look to tie midfielder down to new deal

Chelsea were left frustrated on Sunday as they were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. 

The Blues took the lead at the City Ground through Raheem Sterling, before ex-Tottenham Hotspur man Serge Aurier drew the hosts level in the second half.

Graham Potter’s side have now won just one of their last seven Premier League matches – a run that also includes three defeats – and the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss is coming under increasing scrutiny from the club’s supporters.

Chelsea are expected to be busy during the January transfer window, with new owner Todd Boehly likely to once again spend big during his first mid-season window in charge of the club.

In the meantime, it appears that the club are working to keep hold of one of their current stars.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the club remain in negotiations with the representatives of N’Golo Kante, with both parties hopeful of agreeing a contract extension.

The midfielder’s current deal is set to expire in June, which means he is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club this month.

The 31-year-old has been regarded by many as one of the world’s best midfielders for a number of seasons now, but his injury record over the past few campaigns is a cause for concern for his current employers.

Kante hasn’t featured for Chelsea since the middle of August

Romano claims that the player is keen to stay put in London, and it has previously been rumoured that he was pushing for a three-year deal, whereas the club were only offering two years.

He also claims that Kante is willing to negotiate on his salary demands, as he is happy at Stamford Bridge and intends on staying.

The France international has made more than 260 appearances for The Blues since joining the club from Leicester City back in 2016.

He has also won six trophies during his time in the capital, including the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

This season, though, the Frenchman has made just two Premier League appearances, with a hamstring injury having kept him out of action since August.

The Frenchman is expected to return to action in February, and Chelsea will hope to have reached an agreement over the player’s future by then.