In a recent interview, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said that his efforts to try to convince Andreas Christensen to sign a new contract at the club have not backfired.
Reports coming out of Spain suggest that the Danish centre-half is close to agreeing on a pre-contract with Spanish giants Barcelona. While reliable football journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that both the parties have reached a verbal agreement and Christensen will join Barcelona in the summer.
Despite all the rumors, Chelsea manager Thomas Ttuchel denied any claim that the defender had signed a pre-contract with any club. The manager has also stated that the centre-half will give it his all until the end of the season despite his contract situation.
Andreas Christensen has made a total of 29 appearances across all competitions this term. In this time he has recorded two goals and one assist. (stats via Transfermarkt) The 25-year-old has always taken his opportunity when called upon by Thomas Tuchel. Thomas Tuchel even bought Christensen on after Thiago Silva was taken off injured in the Champions League final last term.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about Andreas Christensen?
Talking about Andreas Christensen in a recent interview, Thomas Tuchel said:
“The situation of the club was pretty sure. I think I gave you an honest statement that he is in exactly the right place for his journey. That he could continue with this club and become the defender that he can be, the real personality and the playing minutes figure that he wants to be. In my opinion, he shouldn’t forget where he comes from, where his education comes from, where is home and that’s just my opinion.”
“He needs that kind of environment to bring the best out of him. That’s just my opinion and I gave it some weeks ago but the talks in autumn and the summer were constant talks. We are in (an) exchange with our players of course. I hope that my talks didn’t make him want to leave but I don’t think so.”
“You cannot take these things personally. If he decides to take his career elsewhere, it is his decision. We understand it and we don’t need to agree. We will not take it personally. As long as he is our player, he is our player and I will not stop demanding from him. He needs to be fully, fully committed, this is what we expect and have experienced. You will have to ask him about his decision and what the reasons are for his decision.”
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