Thomas Tuchel admits Andreas Christensen hasn’t featured in the last three Chelsea games in an attempt to influence the defender’s contract standoff with the club. The Denmark international has blossomed into one of Europe’s most complete centre-backs since the appointment of the German coach in January but his current deal at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season.
Thomas Tuchel said: “I have no good news. It was my understanding weeks ago that Andreas wants the same as me and the club. This is why, for me, it was a zero-problem situation because everybody wanted the same as I understood it. We are waiting a long time now for confirmation. It’s on Andreas to act how he acts on the pitch off the pitch and walk the talk. He tells us he loves Chelsea, that he wants to stay and be a big part, because he is a big part of a big club. I think he is the perfect fit, he is not done yet here, his career here is not finished. He can still develop and be a big, big player. But like I said it’s on him. We want the commitment. Hopefully, we get it.”
Christensen’s last outing for Chelsea came before the international break against Burnley. In the three matches since, against Leicester City, Juventus and Manchester United, he has been an unused substitute. Tuchel was asked if he felt Christensen’s absence from the team would harm Chelsea’s attempts to keep the defender at Stamford Bridge. The answer to that question was an eye-opener.
Thomas Tuchel said: “No, the opposite. We have the hope it influences the contract situation a little bit. My understanding was in a very short period we would have good news. I said around the international break that for me, it is a matter of days that we think we can give good news about Andreas. As I understood it, the club wants the same, the player wants the same, and the coach wants the same: to stay. That’s why we need the commitment and we can continue.”
