Chelsea want to accelerate Antonio Rudiger's contract talks - despite the fact he's played just 45 minutes this season, reports Mail.
The Germany international enters the final two years of his contact at the end of the season and the Blues want to head off any doubt over his long-term future by signing him to an extension.
Chelsea are concerned rival clubs will look to take advantage of any uncertainty at the end of the season.
Manchester City and Tottenham will both be in the market for a new central defender next summer.
The Stamford Bridge club's plan to extend Rudiger's deal comes despite an injury hit campaign that has seen him make just one appearance all season.
He missed the start of season as he continued to recover from the knee surgery he underwent at the back end of the previous campaign.
Rudiger then suffered a hip injury on his return to action against Wolves in September, a problem that has kept him sidelined ever since.
The defender underwent surgery to clear up the hip problem last Tuesday and is expected to be out until December.