Chelsea are reportedly looking to extend the contract of their star defender, Andreas Christensen. The Dane agreed to a 5-year deal in 2015 for a wage of 35,000 per week but the West London club are interested in rewarding him with a higher pay structure and ensure his future further than 2020.
Christensen signed for Chelsea in February of 2012 and made just one league appearance in the 2014-2015 season under Mourinho. With a low possibility of starring at all for the senior squad, he opted for a loan spell to develop his game before returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017.
Dubbed as the successor of club legend, John Terry, the Chelsea board are highly impressed with the player Christensen has turned into. At a young age of 21, he already reflects the traits of Terry in the centre-back position.
Christensen has been superb so far for the Blues and has settled in perfectly in the defensive back 3 under Conte. With Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill on either of his side to guide him, the 21-year-old has developed into a quality defender with an ability to read the game very well. He is one of the key men in Conte’s side to distribute the ball early towards the final three and launch early counters.
His development can definitely be attributed to the 2-year loan spell with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. He was a regular starter and registered 84 appearances for the German outfit with an impressive 7 goal tally to his name. He opted for a two-year loan spell with the idea of settling into the side in the first and then appearing regularly in the second.
Clearly a mature head with an ambitious drive towards his career. One factor he can improve in is his physicality. With a lanky structure, he often gets outmuscled by strikers in aerial duels.
Chelsea have issued new deals for Caesar Azpilicueta, Victor Moses, Charly Musonda and Kurt Zouma in the last 12 months, all a part of Conte’s future plans with the club. The inconsistencies of David Luiz and summer signing Antonio Rudiger has paved the way for Christensen to be the leading man for the club in the upcoming years and follow in the footsteps of Terry.
With 16 appearances in the current season, the 21-year-old should be given a breather in the club’s League fixture against Bournemouth on Wednesday. Conte’s side are currently in the 3rd spot of Premier League table and has fallen way below the league leaders, Manchester City.
