Andreas Christensen’s rollercoaster of a Chelsea career, which began way back in 2012 as a teenager, is currently at a high point, with the 25-year-old having once again become a key player for the club, since Thomas Tuchel took over as head coach earlier this year.
Christensen hasn’t played this consistently (and with this much on-pitch success) since returning from his two-year loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2017-18, for Antonio Conte’s second season. And while part of that has been due to a long-term injury to Thiago Silva, even after his return to fitness, Christensen has maintained his place in the lineup, though on the right side of the back-three rather than the center.
And that has also made him more hopeful of his future at the club.
“I’ve shown that I’m here for the long run. I’ve been here almost nine, 10 years now.
“I’ve never doubted my decision [to come to Chelsea] and I’ve always been here for the long run. I accept that the club sometimes changes managers, and that can make it hard to always be in the team.
“After the loan spell [at Borussia Mönchengladbach] I came back and played a good amount and since then it’s been a bit in and out, but it’s nice at the moment to play back-to-back games and my confidence is growing with each game.”
Christensen’s contract is expiring at the end of next season however, so it’s well past time when we should be talking about a new contract. Given his current form, his age, and his talent ceiling, it would be wise for us to not keep him waiting for too much longer.
“There have not been any talks [on a contract extension] yet, but like I said, I’m in this for the long run and I always have been. I feel like this is my second home. Denmark will always be my home, but Chelsea will always be my place.”
-Andreas Christensen; source: Chelsea FC
Chelsea may be looking to bring in new centre backs this summer, which was part of the plan that was put into motion by the short-term stopgap signing of Thiago Silva. But Christensen, like Rüdiger, is proving that he can certainly play a part in these efforts, competing with and playing alongside the best of the best.