"As I understand it": Transfer expert drops fresh claim on big "shambles" emerging at Chelsea

Transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed it is ‘a bit of a shambles’ that Chelsea still have multiple defenders who are set to become free agents at the end of the season.

The Blues are currently enjoying a relatively successful 2021/22 under the tutelage of Thomas Tuchel, but the highly-respected manager could have a busy few months ahead.

Despite Thiago Silva putting pen to paper on fresh terms last month, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen have all entered the final five months of their current contracts.

The trio are all crucial cogs in Chelsea’s backline, making 82 appearances between them for the Blues this term across all competitions.

However, all of their futures remain in the balance following months of drawn-out negotiations that are yet to reach a conclusion.

According to Sky Sports, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus have all opened talks with Rudiger over a potential move, while reports in Spain claim Christensen is close to joining Barcelona.

Chelsea are believed to want to keep both players at the club beyond their existing deals, yet are so far refusing to match their wage demands.

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Meanwhile, Azpilicueta is thought to be keen to sign a longer contract than the 12-month extension he has so far been offered, with Barca reportedly waiting in the wings with a two-year deal.

If Chelsea allow all of Rudiger, Christensen and Azpilicueta to depart, then Tuchel will be left extremely short of options at the heart of defence.

Silva, Malang Sarr and Trevor Chalobah are the only other natural options at centre-back and Jones believes the whole situation is a ‘mess’.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think it’s