Bayern Munich eye Chelsea star Andreas Christensen to replace Niklas Sule
According to Goal (h/t Daily Mail), Bayern Munich have earmarked Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen to replace their star centre-back Niklas Sule, who will leave the club next summer when his contract expires.
Like Sule, Christensen is also set to enter the Bosman market as a free agent at the end of the sea. The Dane has entered the final six months of his Chelsea contract, and contract negotiations with the Blues have so far gotten nowhere.
Back in December, Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel urged Christensen to sign an extension and show his commitment, saying that the club had been waiting a long time for confirmation from the player. The defender is yet to heed his manager’s words.
“It is on Andreas to act how he acts on the pitch, he needs to act now off the pitch, and walk the talk because he tells us that he loves Chelsea, he tells us that he wants to stay and be a big part, because he is a big part of a big club, and I think he is a perfect fit and I think that he is not done yet here.”
As his contract winds down, Christensen is now the subject of transfer rumours across Europe. Bayern joins the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Atletico Madrid in the chase to land the defender’s signature in the summer.
The Dane came through the ranks at Chelsea’s famed Cobham academy, eventually establishing himself in the first team. Having fulfilled his dream to play for the senior squad, Christensen now looks set to leave Stamford Bridge and seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
The 25-year-old was reportedly offered a new deal earlier this season, but the club and player have yet to agree on a contract extension. Despite contract worries behind the scenes, the Chelsea academy product has racked up 21 appearances across all competitions, scoring twice and assisting once more.
Ever since Tuchel has come in, the German has relied on Christensen to shield his defence, giving the 25-year-old a senior role at the back and trusting him to do the job. The Dane has performed admirably, rising to the challenge and playing a key role in our successful UEFA Champions League campaign last season.
However, this season has seen the duo enter into rocky territory, with the Blues boss dropping the defender for a couple of games last year in an attempt to send a message to the player that he needs to commit his future to the club. It does not appear to have done the trick as Christensen is no closer to signing a new deal today.
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Although Tuchel eventually recalled Christensen to the first team despite the player not signing a contract extension. The German had little choice, given the lack of options available to him. The Dane last played for the club in our 1-0 win away win against Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
It always hurts to see an academy product leave the club, and Christensen has been one of our more successful youth players to make it at Stamford Bridge in recent years. We can only hope that the Blues hierarchy manages to turn things around and convince the defender to extend his stay in West London for a few more years.
