Andreas Christensen’s situation at Chelsea is certainly a complicated one for Thomas Tuchel and Marina Granvoskaia.
The Danish international appeared on the verge of penning a new deal with the Blues, with his current deal expiring in the summer. An announcement has not been forthcoming though, with the opening of the transfer window now signalling Christensen’s ability to discuss a free transfer with any foreign club.
Since then, rumours have begun to swirl regarding Barcelona being interested in signing Christensen on a free transfer.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Catalan giants being on the scene is the exact reason why the centre-back is yet to pen a new contract at Stamford Bridge. It is reported that the prospect of moving away - as well as a change of agents - has seen Christensen change his stance on an extended deal with Chelsea.
In an effort to nudge him towards committing his future to the reigning European champions, the Danish international was taken out of the Blues’ starting line-up by Thomas Tuchel.
Talking in November, the German said: “We have the hope that it [dropping Christensen] influences the contract situation a little bit.
“My understanding was that it’s a matter of a very short period before we have good news. As I understood it the club wants the same, the player wants the same, the coach wants the same: to stay. That’s why we need the commitment and then we can continue.”
It is a strategy that does not appear to have worked, with little news being offered on any extended deal for Christensen, despite defensive colleague Thiago Silva having committed his immediate future to Chelsea by signing a new contract until the end of the 2022/23 season.
There has also been a major hint that Christensen could be set to depart for Barcelona.
The Dane has recently joined commercial agency KIN Partners. Whilst a commercial deal would not seem all too relevant, the agency has previously had close dealings with the Catalan giants in the past, so it would not be a surprise to see Christensen seal a deal to the Camp Nou off the back of that.
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Should that occur, he could potentially become the second defender to swap west London for Catalonia, with current club captain Cesar Azpilicueta also being linked with a switch.
Chelsea will certainly hope that Christensen changes his mind and his situation at Stamford Bridge becomes a little less complicated.
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