Inside Cesar Azpilicueta's Chelsea contract stand-off as familiar story rings true

Chelsea's long-standing contract policy for over 30s is threatening to undermine their bid to hang on to Cesar Azpilicueta.

Contract talks with Azpilicueta, who now has less than six months remaining on his deal and is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, have rumbled on for months now.

The Londoners have a policy of only offering short-term contracts to players over 30.

Azpilicueta wants a long-term deal, believed to be three years, to keep him at Stamford Bridge for the rest of his career.

But it's looking more and more unlikely that the 32-year-old will get his wish.

The Spaniard's contract stand-off is eerily similar to what Brazilian winger Willian went through with the club two years ago.

His demands for a multi-year deal were rejected by Chelsea - with Willian electing to quit the club and ink a lucrative three-year deal with Arsenal as a result.

But the Blues will be loath to lose their long-serving captain.

Azpilicueta is a fitness fanatic and has had an exemplary fitness record during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The versatile defender joined the club from Marseille back in 2012 and has barely missed a game since. He's won every honour possible at club level over the last decade and has evolved into an integral squad member, racking up over 450 appearances.

However, even that isn't set to sway Chelsea, who are unlikely to offer anything more than the standard one-year extension.

Azpilicueta is keen to remain in the capital and talks are set to continue, with the hope that a short-term extension with a 12-month option could be enough to appease the Blues skipper.

Chelsea's contract stalemate is Azpilicueta is just one of many defensive headaches that Thomas Tuchel is facing up