Borussia Mönchengladbach distance themselves from Christensen rumors

Andreas Christensen’s relative lack of playing time this season is worrying not just for the Christensen family — as father-agent Sten made it quite clear recently — but also to fans hoping to see the young defender fulfill his destiny as one of the first academy prospects in the last two decades to make the leap from the youth team to the first-team.

The journey came via a two-year stop at Borussia Mönchengladbach, who remain big fans of the kid and were thus one of the first names to pop up in the rumor mill after the idea of a January (or summer) exit was floated. However, according to sporting director Max Eberl, Gladbach are currently not interested, especially at the prices Chelsea are likely to charge.

“We’ve got an outstanding relationship with Andreas, but the topic is not currently on. We’ve got a top central defensive partnership, with Mathias Ginter and Nico Elvedi.”

That’s quite the shift in tone from Eberl, who was borderline tapping up Andreas for at least of the aforementioned two-year loan spell.

“Although we have some money to spend, I’ve heard that Chelsea will only sell Andreas if they allow him to leave, and the amount they will ask for is very large.”

-Max Eberl; Source: Sky Sports Germany via Goal

Despite the public words of discontentment, Christensen started playing fairly regularly once the schedule became its usual congested twice-weekly self, starting every non-Premier League match, or almost half the Chelsea games over the past month. He’s likely to start against BATE Borisov on Thursday as well.

Further hindering any sudden exit is Christensen putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract last January, thus extending his ties with and giving leverage to Chelsea until June 2022. If he’s truly keen in leaving, Chelsea probably won’t stand in his way, but will ensure that proper compensation is received.

Still, it would be great if Christensen could stay a bit more patient and achieve to the usual cliches of keeping his head down, working hard in practice and taking advantage of his opportunities when they are given. Chelsea’s set of veteran defenders (David Luiz, Cahill) will need replacing sooner rather than later, and Christensen will continue to be in prime position to be their successor.