Chelsea open contract talks with Frank Lampard favourite after strong start to the season

Chelsea have opened talks with Italian fullback Emerson over a new contract.

The Brazilian-born Italian international’s current Stamford Bridge deal expires in June 2022, but Chelsea are keen to tie 25-year-old down to a new contract ahead of the January transfer window.

Italian giants Juventus, now managed by former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, are still interested in the left back, after making a move for him in the summer that was rebuffed.

Former Roma star Emerson has made the left back slot his own since the end of last season under Sarri, and new Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has also preferred him to the experienced Marcos Alonso in all of his opening five matches in charge this season.

Emerson has made 39 appearances for Chelsea following his £18 million move from Roma in January 2018.

Chelsea have already secured several of their key players to long term contracts in recent months, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Olivier Giroud all agreeing new deals during pre-season.

Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is also close to finalising a new £180,000-a-week five-year contract with his boyhood club.

The club are also planning to hand new deals fellow academy graduates Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James in the coming months having all played their way into the first-team reckoning under Lampard.

Emerson has allayed injury fears after suffering a knock during international duty.

He posted on Instagram to left fans know the injury was nothing serious.

He wrote: “Very important victory today guys.

“Unfortunately I had a small injury, but nothing serious. Let’s continue like this!'”

source: express.co.uk