Andreas Christensen returning to Chelsea as Monchengladbach scrambles for Plan B
By George Perry
Borussia Monchengladbach conceded defeat in their long-extinct hope to secure a permanent transfer for Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen. After two years in Germany, the Danish centre-back is coming home to Stamford Bridge.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl sporadically challenged Napoli’s chairman Aurelio de Laurentiis for the title of world’s most obnoxious football executive. Eberl understandably wanted to make permanent Andreas Christensen’s two-year loan. His efforts in that pursuit sometimes veered from clumsy to annoying to ludicrous.
Christensen has been one of Chelsea’s top prospects for some time. Despite that, Chelsea being Chelsea and all, there was always that simmering uncertainty as to whether he would actually become a full Blue. Antonio Conte’s arrival and success with three centre-backs all but ensured Christensen would at least have the chance to fight for a starting spot.
Max Eberl has come to terms with that reality. He has previously acknowledged the long odds against Christensen staying in Germany, but maintained some hope. Now, however, he is actively planning for a future that does not include Christensen in black and green.
"He must go back to Chelsea FC. Those are the two players [Mahmoud Dahoud and Christensen] that we have to replace in the summer. – Evening Standard"
Monchengladbach has a tall order in replacing Christensen, let alone both him and Dahoud. Christensen has played more minutes than any other Monchengladbach central defender. He averages 3.8 clearances and 2.4 interceptions per game. Those numbers go up to 5.3 and 2.8, respectively, in the Champions League.
Christensen has played in both the Champions League and Europa League while at Monchengladbach. This experience will be particularly valuable when it comes time to prove his way into the squad, and upon Chelsea’s return to Europe.
Antonio Conte will need an expanded roster next season. Christensen may not immediately become a starter in the Premier League. He will have stiff competition from Chelsea’s veteran Premier League centre-backs, plus Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake. But he will be near the top of Conte’s selection list for the Champions League, which could pave his way to the rest of Chelsea’s starting XI’s.
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Andreas Christensen’s loan to Monchengladbach worked the way loans should. He was a valuable member of his loan club, matured as a player and will return ready to slot in to the starting lineup. Chelsea have plenty of young centre-backs hungry for playing time that they can send to alleviate Monchengladbach’s situation.