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Football London
Football London
Sport
Scott Trotter

Thomas Tuchel speaks out on Andreas Christensen transfer decision that could derail Chelsea plan

Thomas Tuchel appeared resigned to Chelsea losing Andreas Christsensen in his pre-match press conference ahead of Norwich City.

Recent days have seen reports in Spain emerge detailing the news that the Denmark international has been undergoing the process of a medical with Barcelona, with his agents set to travel to finalise a deal with the Catalan giants in the latter half of the week.

Christensen is one of a number of Chelsea stars whose contracts expire at the end of the season with the futures of Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta also up in the air. However, the 25-year-old appears to have had the most fractuous negotiations with the Blues and now seems closest to departing Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel believes that the defender could play a crucial role for Chelsea in the years to come, and is unhappy about the situation.

The 48-year-old said of Christensen's future: "It is in doubt, no? We hear the rumours and the situation with Andreas, since many weeks, is clear and we are not happy about it. Personally, I and club representatives think it's best for him to stay and we rely heavily on him.

"He did not sign yet so you cannot communicate - this is a signal to us. Communication from his side is that he did not sign until now so we have to consider the possibility that he leaves us. Will we like it? No. Will we live with it? Yes.

"Things are not personal but I have no information. Not information that I don't want to share, no information at all."

Earlier in the season Tuchel admitted that difficulties in negotiations impacted Christensen's ability to start for the Blues.

The German coach acknowledged in November that the defender did not feature in three Chelsea games in an attempt to influence the contract standoff with the club.

However, the Chelsea boss said on this occasion, even if a deal with Barcelona was announced, it will not impact his role until the end of the season.

Tuchel said: "I don't think so. If things happen, it's normally the best thing not to take them personally. He is still our player and we will do what is best for us while he is a Chelsea player. He knows we appreciate him a lot and I think it's a crucial point in his Chelsea career; he is in a perfect age and perfect moment with the system we play and the guys at his side.

"Considering all of these circumstances I think it's the decisive moment to step up and be a huge player for Chelsea in the next years. If he decides otherwise, I will not take it personally.

"In the end it is not important if I understand it or not but I will treat him as my player until the very last day if he behaves how he has."

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