Tuchel to be offered new deal
CHELSEA are set to offer Thomas Tuchel a new contract at the end of the season as a reward for his spectacular success in leading the club to the Champions League and FA Cup finals as well as returning them to the Premier League’s top four. As previously revealed by Sportsmail, there are clauses in the 18-month deal Tuchel signed in January entitling him to an extension if he hits certain targets, but the club want to tie him down to a new two-year
contract with the option for a third year. Tuchel is keen to sign the new deal as he initially had reservations about the shortterm contract Chelsea offered him after sacking Frank Lampard at the beginning of the year. It will also bring him an increase on his current £7million salary. The impetus for the new contract talks has come from the club, however, with the German focused on two cup finals and securing a Champions League place, which will move closer if they beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge this evening. Tuchel stands to collect major bonuses if Chelsea win the Champions League and finish in the top four, although the pay-out for beating Leicester in Saturday’s FA Cup final is less substantial. Such incremental contracts have become standard practice at Stamford Bridge in recent years with the club eager to reduce pay-outs made to sacked managers. Lampard signed a three-year contract as manager, but there was a break clause after two years. Chelsea will also seek to tie down N’Golo Kante — who starred against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal — as he enters the final two years of his contract, with Inter Milan said to be interested in the midfielder. The Blues are also set to trigger a one-year extension for Thiago Silva. Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta called on owner Stan Kroenke to stump up the funds his side will need for a squad revamp this summer. ‘I think is clear that if we want to improve the team we need some resources,’ said Arteta. Arsenal have also frozen season ticket prices for next season despite having no European football for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign.