Andreas Christensen limited Chelsea‘s defensive options in last weekend’s FA Cup final by removing himself from contention on the day of the match.
Christensen is set to join Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of this season, and he was a surprise absentee from the Chelsea squad which lost to Liverpool on penalties.
The 26-year-old was not injured, yet he told coach Thomas Tuchel on the morning of the game that he did not feel ready to play.
He was reportedly feeling unwell during the week, but had managed to start Chelsea‘s victory over Leeds United last Wednesday.
Christensen‘s decision to withdraw himself from the squad and leave the team hotel reportedly left his teammates shocked and confused.
Tuchel started with a back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger, and Silva sustained an early injury.
In normal circumstances Christensen would have been a suitable candidate to replace Silva, but the Brazilian defender instead carried on and left Wembley with a heavy limp.
Chelsea’s defensive headache
The Danish defender has been in an awkward position at Chelsea for much of this season as a result of failed contract negotiations.
Chelsea twice had reached verbal agreements with Christensen over a new contract, only for him to change his mind on both occasions.
Meanwhile, their defence is set to be weakened further as a result of Antonio Rudiger‘s departure to Real Madrid this summer.
The German defender put in an excellent display against Liverpool and his exit represents a major blow for the west London club.
After the penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool, Tuchel admitted for the first time that Christensen will be leaving the club in the summer.
“We are losing Toni [Rudiger], we’re losing Andreas [Christensen],” Tuchel confirmed.
During the summer transfer window, the club will be looking to make reinforcements at the back.
Marca
