Chelsea starlet Dujon Sterling, 21, could be handed first-team role next season after opening talks over new contract
CHELSEA starlet Dujon Sterling could be set for a first-team role after impressing during pre-season.
And the 21-year-old is reportedly in talks with the club over a contract extension.
The right wing-back was highly-rated under Antonio Conte, with the Italian former boss handing him two first-team appearances as a teenager.
Loans to Coventry City and Wigan Athletic followed, before a hamstring injury and serious illness kept him out for 13 months.
Sterling returned to action in February, shunning loan moves and instead playing Under-23s football to rebuild his match fitness.
And he has been promoted to Thomas Tuchel's first-team squad for pre-season, playing 45 minutes of their recent 6-1 win over Peterborough.
He has now travelled with the rest of the first-team squad to Ireland this week.
According to Goal, Sterling has received plenty of 'positive feedback' from boss Tuchel since his arrival.
And the club are keen to extend his contract beyond its current 2022 expiry date.
A number of Championship clubs have enquired over taking Sterling on loan.
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The defender appears likely to stay at Chelsea, unlike a number of his academy peers.
Marc Guehi signed for Crystal Palace last week, while highly thought of youngster Lewis Bate opted to leave for Leeds United.
Last year's academy player of the season Tino Livramento is set to follow suit, with Conor Gallagher another that could depart.
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