A close source to Super Eagles’ defender, Kenneth Omeruo has told SportingLife that Chelsea of England are keen on tying him to a new contract before the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals to ward off competition from other clubs.

The former junior international is currently on a loan deal to Middlesbrough after he found first team opportunity hard to get at the Stamford Bridge landlords at the start of the season.

He was recalled from Holland by Chelsea after two successful loan seasons with ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Eredevisie to come and lay claim to the first eleven shirt of the former Champions League winners.

But a shoulder injury he copped during the Eagles’ 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil against Spain slowed down his first team chance as he failed to participate in any of Chelsea’s pre season matches under new head coach, Jose Mourinho.

Omeruo totally recovered from injury mid way into the season after Mourinho already earmarked those he would like to work with for the season.

The sure bet was a loan move that would guarantee first team opportunity and a chance to play at his first ever World Cup finals barely five years after he burst into public glare at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria where he was in the team that narrowly lost to Switzerland in the final at Abuja.

He made Mourinho to sanction a loan move to Middlesbrough where the revered Special One has a link with his former Assistant Coach, Aitor Karanka and to bolster his World Cup aspiration.

After emerging as one of the leading lights in Middlesbrough march for a return to the premier league, Mourinho, SportingLife was told has informed Chelsea top officials that the club should ensure they commit Omeruo to another long term contract before the current expires next year.

“Chelsea are watching the progress of Kenneth and they have made it a priority before the World Cup to offer him a fresh contract. They do not want to lose him to another club that may want to hijack him after a good display in Brazil. He is also happy with Chelsea and his development under Jose Mourinho,” the source told SportingLife.