Cesar Azpilicueta has earned a pay increase at Chelsea after being rewarded with a new contract due to his status as a leader at Stamford Bridge, Goal understands.
The 29-year-old is set to sign on until at least 2022 and will earn £150,000-a-week, increasing his salary from its current £120,000-a-week, with Chelsea hoping the Spain international’s renewal is just the latest of many.
Azpilicueta has made 298 appearances for Chelsea since joining the club for a reported £7 million from Marseille in 2012. He has also scored eight goals and provided 36 assists after establishing himself as one of the team’s most consistent and reliable performers.
He also made his full Spain debut during his debut season at Stamford Bridge, and has been included in his country’s squads for the past two World Cups.
His first campaign with Chelsea saw him win the Europa League, while he has also lifted the Premier League twice, along with victories in the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
The full-back is following the likes of N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso and Ethan Ampadu in renewing his contract this season, and the Blues’ vice-captain could be set to earn the full captaincy in the coming six months, with Gary Cahill's future still in doubt ahead of the January transfer window.
Chelsea are also in talks to keep Antonio Rudiger at the club, while the Premier League side are also battling to try to keep hold of Eden Hazard and Callum Hudson-Odoi who are entering the last 18 months of their contracts.
David Luiz is keen to stay at Chelsea even though he has only seven months left on his current deal, while Cesc Fabregas remains unsure over his future as AC Milan continue to be linked with signing him in the January transfer window.
Chelsea will also see Olivier Giroud's contract expiring but they have the option to extend it for another year. Back-up goalkeepers Willy Caballero and Rob Green will see their deals expire in the summer.
Marcin Bulka is a youth goalkeeper at Chelsea, who the club are keen to see stay on, but his future remains in doubt.