Three big questions: Chelsea still waiting for the real Andreas Christensen

2. Will the Blues ever use him in midfield?

For the Danish National Team, Christensen often lines up as a midfielder. Conte’s back three blurred the line between defense and midfield too in many ways. Even Frank Lampard, much earlier in the season, listed Christensen as an option in midfield. Christensen has yet to play in midfield for Chelsea.

The main reason is who he would need to play instead of. The Blues have a rather stacked midfield overall so making room for Christensen does not seem like the wisest use of resources. That is, of course, until one looks at the defensive midfield position.

Only N’Golo Kante can truly claim to be a defensive midfielder for the Blues. Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho play at it. Billy Gilmour might develop that way but it is too early to tell. Given the end of the season saw Lampard play with a defensive midfielder (Kante) flanked by two eights (often Mason Mount and Ross Barkley), it remains surprising that Lampard still has not tried Christensen in the role.

Add in the Declan Rice rumors and it becomes even more awkward. Rice can also play as a centerback and defensive midfielder, something Chelsea seems to value ahead of next season. Ethan Ampadu staying around next season would give the Blues another option. Christensen could be option three but Lampard never followed through on his comment early in the season about the Dane playing in midfield.

It would likely help Christensen as a player far more than playing at centerback would. His reading of the game is very good but he often gets pulled out of position pressing the ball carrier or is simply shrugged off by bigger opponents. Both of those could still happen in midfield but the damage would be must lesser than at the back.

If Christensen stays around, the Blues should at least revisit the issue to see how it pans out.