Chelsea open contract talks with 21-year-old starlet in hopes of preventing academy exodus

Chelsea open contract talks with Academy talent Dujon Sterling

According to a report by football.london, Chelsea are in talks with Dujon Sterling over a new contract during this summer transfer window.

There is interest from Championship clubs, but the club are unlikely to let him leave on a loan spell unless he extends his stay at Stamford Bridge. His current deal expires in the summer of 2022. (h/t football.london)

He has endured a tough couple of seasons marred by injuries during his loan spell at Wigan Athletic and his stay at Stamford Bridge last season. But he has returned to full fitness, and has impressed Thomas Tuchel with his comeback.

Dujon Sterling is in contract talks with Chelsea.
Dujon Sterling is in contract talks with Chelsea. (imago Images)

Sterling is currently with the senior team in Ireland where Thomas Tuchel is overseeing the club’s pre-season training camp. The 21-year-old has come through the youth ranks at Chelsea but is yet to make a mark on the senior side.

Blues want Sterling to stay

Like many young academy players at Chelsea, Sterling has spent time out on loan. He was at Coventry City during the 2018/19 season before going out to the DW Stadium for the following campaign.

A regular for Chelsea’s reserve squad, Sterling only has two substitute appearances for the senior side. Both of those features came in the third round of the FA Cup as well as the League Cup in the 2017/18 season.

Dujon Sterling (R) celebrates scoring for the England U19 team against Bulgaria U19.
Dujon Sterling (R) celebrates scoring for the England U19 team against Bulgaria U19. (imago Images)

Sterling is an exciting wing-back who plies his trade down the right-hand side. Unfortunately for him, the club already has a 21-year-old Englishman in the form of Reece James as their regular starter in that area.

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Nevertheless, he can be a good prospect for the future and it is a wise move by Chelsea to keep a hold of their brightest young talents, especially considering Lewis Bate’s departure to Leeds United.