Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has publicly asked centre-back Andreas Christensen to commit his future to the London club. However, as it stands, the Denmark international is closing in on a free transfer to FC Barcelona.
Tuchel has recently challenged the 25-year-old to “step up and be a huge player for Chelsea”. The Denmark international is into the final four months of his contract, at the end of which he will be allowed to leave the club of his adolescence and adulthood for free. Speaking to reporters in his pre-Norwich City press conference, the tactician also said he won’t take it personally if the Dane decides not to renew his deal – as is the expectation.
“I think it’s a crucial point where he has the chance, at the perfect age and the perfect moment, regarding the situation, the system we play, the guys who play at his side,”
“Considering all these circumstances, it’s for me, the decisive moment for him to step up and be a huge Chelsea player for the next years.
“If he decides otherwise I will not take it personally and it’s — in the end — 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 behaved.”
Tuchel told reporters.
And leave he will, or so the reports say. The Denmark international has agreed to join FC Barcelona at the end of his Chelsea contract, reports Fabrizio Romano. Christensen is eligible for a signing-on bonus given that his potential suitors won’t have to pay the club a single penny for his transfer, and he will sign a three-year contract with his new club.
Barring a last-minute change of heart, the defender will be a new Barcelona player. However, in light of the sanctions levied on Roman Abramovich by the UK government, even a late change of heart cannot prevent the Denmark international from leaving the club, given Chelsea can’t buy or sell players until further notice or renegotiate any contracts.
