Chelsea to open contract talks with central defender

Chelsea are reportedly planning contract talks with Brazilian defender David Luiz, who has been ever-present under Maurizio Sarri since the start of the season.

The centre-back's future had been called into question after making just nine league appearances under Antonio Conte last term but he has won his position with the change in management.

According to The Mirror, the Blues are keen to kickstart negotiations with the defender in the forthcoming weeks as they do not want him to enter the final six months of his contract at the turn of the year.

Luiz, who rejoined the Blues in the summer of 2016, could earn more than a year's extension on his current contract despite the club having a strict policy of handing 12-month deals for players aged above 30.

Chelsea have begun the league campaign with a fifth-straight victory under their new head coach and this sees them at the top of the standings ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.