Full-back set for new Blues deal

England full-back Ryan Bertrand is believed to have agreed a new lucrative five-year deal with Chelsea.

The Blues have been anxious to tie the 23-year-old down to an improved contract after being impressed with his progress during the last 12 months. He only put pen to paper on fresh terms a year ago, but Roberto Di Matteo is convinced he will have a big part to play in the Blues future and has backed the decision to offer him a new agreement which will see the youngster double his current pay. Bertrand is viewed by the club as the long-term successor to regular left-back Ashley Cole, who has less than 12 months to run on his own deal. Di Matteo demonstrated his faith in Cole's rival by including him in an unfamiliar midfield role in his Champions League winning side last season. Bertrand, who was signed from Gillingham seven years ago, has only made eight league appearances for the Blues, although he has picked up invaluable experience out on loan with a number of clubs including Nottingham Forest and Norwich City during that time.