Chelsea: Denmark misused Andreas Christensen in 4-2-3-1 midfield

Andreas Christensen played only the first half of Denmark’s final World Cup game. He took the fall for Denmark’s manager playing him in a new position for which he was not well-suited.

Andreas Christensen is every bit as prodigious and precocious for Denmark as he is for Chelsea. Christensen is the second-youngest player (age 22) on Denmark’s World Cup squad, but played the sixth-most minutes for the Danes in Russia. The players with more minutes than him are all at least four years older.

Christensen would have edged Thomas Delaney for the #5 spot if Denmark manager had played Christensen in either of his proven positions. Instead, Age Hareide put Christensen where he did not belong and was not comfortable, and then ended Christensen’s night after 45 minutes. Just over an hour of football later, Denmark’s World Cup ended as well.

Andreas Christensen was something of a revelation in Denmark’s final group stage game against France. Hareide played Christensen as a defensive midfielder in a 4-1-4-1, taking station just in front of the centre-backs. When France increased the pressure on Denmark, Christensen would drop back into his usual position to set his side into a 5-4-1. But in transition and during the early absorption of France’s offence, Christensen was the effective “destroyer,” usually clearing the danger before France could capitalize on their speed or set up in possession.

The shift to deep defensive midfielder was a natural one for Christensen. In many ways he played as a third centre-back – something he is obviously very familiar with. Unlike someone like David Luiz, who would use defensive midfield as a platform to spring forward, Christensen used it to do his normal job a bit earlier in the sequence. He could read the play and be a bit more proactive in coming out to meet the build-up, whereas a centre-back has to hold his position and be somewhat reactive.

Hareide either misunderstood Christensen’s play against France or pushed his luck with Christensen’s versatility against Croatia. Denmark played in a 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2 against Croatia. This meant Christensen was one of a pair of defensive midfielders. Instead of playing centrally where he could read the play in front of him, Christensen had to man the right side of a tandem as the play swirled around him.

Throughout the first half, he was visibly uncomfortable in the role, both in handling Croatia and in playing as a unit with his teammates. He inadvertently blocked a clearance from his own goal mouth. The ball came off his back and out to Mario Mandzukic for Croatia’s opening goal. Several times he hesitated moving in or out of coverage as he was unsure of his and his teammates’ responsibilities and positioning. While few balls and few men get past him on the back-line, several did as he struggled with his own personal no-man’s land in midfield. Rather than change the tactics, Hariede decided to change the personnel.

Christensen was Chelsea’s central centre-back for most of last season. This position transfers directly to the sole defensive midfielder in a 4-1-4-1, or a 3-1-4-2. His play at Chelsea last season hinted at his potential in this role. We were not among those surprised at his “revelatory” play against France. Christensen and Luiz represent two variants of this role, given their temperaments and tendencies.

The game would almost certainly have had the same outcome if Andreas Christensen had stayed on, or had played in his usual position. Denmark needed goals, and no one looks to Andreas Christensen for goals. Then again, no one looked to Nacho or Benjamin Pavard for goals, either. Christensen would probably have gone after Kasper Schmeichel if the penalty kick shoot-out had reached a 10th round. His World Cup was coming to an end.

It could have ended better for him, though, and on a more positive note. Christensen struggled with his confidence in the second half of the season. The games against Manchester City and Barcelona lingered through May. He deserved better than a half-time sub, and Chelsea may have been better served as well.

Even so, Andreas Christensen is clearly the future of this Denmark side. If they can keep up with him, he has at least two more World Cups ahead of him.

His focus now should shift to as much relaxation and decompression as he can manage. Fatigue caught up with him during the April international break. He scarcely had time for any meaningful recovery after the Premier League season before reporting to Denmark’s camp.

Next: Tactics and Transfers: Maurizio Sarri will not unlock Eden Hazard

Not that any Chelsea players know when and where they need to be. Hopefully Christensen can get far away for a good stretch before the next campaign.