Chelsea 'keen to open contract talks with Mateo Kovacic'

Chelsea are reportedly planning to open contract talks with Mateo Kovacic after the World Cup.

The 28-year-old only has little over 18 months left to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, having penned a five-year agreement following his arrival from Real Madrid in July 2019.

Kovacic has again been an important player for Chelsea during the 2022-23 campaign, making 13 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and one assist in the process.

The Croatia international's minutes are being managed this season, though, with Blues boss Graham Potter revealing after the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Saturday that the midfielder is still not fully over the knee problem that he suffered in the early stages of the season.

"He's been nursing his knee all season pretty much and you look at the schedule, it's impossible for him to start all the games," Potter told reporters. "We've planned for him to have less time but things have conspired against us."

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The midfielder started on the bench against Man United, but he was introduced before the half-time break as part of a tactical change, with the home side struggling to gain a foothold before he featured.

Kovacic was back in the starting side against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday, finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute, but he was substituted with a tight calf in the 68th minute of what proved to be a 2-1 victory for the Premier League club.

"There was a bit of tightness [in his calf]. Hopefully, it is not too bad," said Potter when asked about the midfielder's fitness after Tuesday's game.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea view Kovacic as a key part of their plans moving forward, and the club are keen to begin talks over a new deal once the World Cup has finished.

The report claims that the Croatian is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge, having fully settled in London over the last few years.

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Kovacic started his professional career at Dinamo Zagreb before making the move to Inter Milan in 2013, spending two years with the Italian side before arriving at Real Madrid.

The Croatian won one La Liga title and three Champions League crowns during a successful period with Los Blancos, but he spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Chelsea before joining the club on a permanent deal.

Kovacic has now made 197 appearances for the Blues, contributing five goals and 14 assists in the process, while he has won the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup while at Stamford Bridge.

Fellow midfielders Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both only have little over six months left to run on their contracts with the Blues, which is seemingly strengthening the club's desire to sign Kovacic to a new long-term deal.