Photo: JAMES BAYLIS/GETTY IMAGES

The current contract of Nemanja Matic is due to expire in the summer of 2018 and the 28-year-old Serbian international will be rewarded with a new deal until the end of the 2020/21 season as soon as next week, according to Daily Express.

Matic has had an outstanding season for Chelsea after a poor outing last season, providing 7 assists in 26 appearances for Chelsea this season.

Matic, who rejoined Chelsea from Benfica in 2014 for £21 million, has battled with N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas for a spot in central midfield with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte mostly preferring a midfield partnership of Matic and Kante.

Matic is happy with the competition for places at Chelsea and he believes it has helped him improve his game.

Matic said: “You need to have competition. Of course when you train with players of the quality we have, you improve. That’s natural.”