Mason Mount and Reece James are both in line for lucrative, new long-term contracts at Chelsea as part of plans to readjust the wage bill at Stamford Bridge.
New owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital want to ensure rising stars are rewarded, and Chelsea are ready to give Mount and James significant pay rises to secure their futures.
Mount is in the final two years of his contract, while James has three years remaining on his deal and his situation is being monitored by Real Madrid and Manchester City. That has led to speculation over their futures but both players have indicated they are ready to sign new deals.
Chelsea are set to open contract talks with the two academy graduates, who are towards the bottom end of the earners in the squad, after the transfer window closes.
The Boehly-Clearlake ownership have concerns about the make-up of the squad and also want to offload some overpaid and under-performing transfer failures of the old regime.
Securing the futures of Mount and James would be a statement of intent from the new Chelsea owners.
Conor Gallagher is another player who could be in line for a new contract, after Thomas Tuchel decided to keep him in his squad next season following his successful loan spell at Crystal Palace last season.
Edouard Mendy has also had reassurances that he will be one of the priorities after the transfer window ends. Chelsea’s No1 earns significantly less than Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has become his deputy despite earning £190,000-a-week. Kepa is wanted by Napoli and could leave this summer.
Similarly, Timo Werner is one of the highest paid players at Chelsea, on £275,000 a week, and the German seems open to leaving. Werner wants more game time before the World Cup and has refused to commit his future to Chelsea following the arrival of Raheem Sterling.
“First of all, I am happy,” said the 26-year-old German. “I am happy when I play and score goals. That’s what I should take care of and the other things will come.” Pressed about where he wants to play, Werner said: “I could be happy everywhere.”
There are other high earners with deals expiring in 2023, including N’Golo Kante, who is on around £290,000 a week, and Marcos Alonso, who is on £150,000-a-week. Jorginho, Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley are also out of contract next year.
