Andreas Christensen has returned to the Chelsea line-up after staying out of contention for a large part of the season under ex-manager Frank Lampard.
From matchday 4 until matchday 21, the Dane appeared only twice for the Blues but now has started his fourth game in a row under new boss Thomas Tuchel – most recently completing a commendable performance against Newcastle United.
His return to the starting eleven, as part of the back three, has been instrumental in Tuchel’s men conceding just one goal in the past six matches and he was quick to credit Tuchel with his words of wisdom during training sessions.
Speaking to chelseafc.com after the Newcastle game, Christensen said:
“All the manager says is to be comfortable and believe in ourselves. If you don’t need to play the ball, you don’t have to. Wait for someone to come and take the ball, don’t take last-second decisions, know what you’re going to do and make it happen.”
Chelsea have pushed themselves back in contention for a top-four finish, after a series of dismal displays in the first half of the season. They now sit only 4 points behind second and third-placed Manchester United & Leicester City respectively and Christensen has set his team’s goals.
“I think when the group came back together, we had one goal, ever since the dip, when we felt the dip coming. We all have had the same goal. It’s just not about aiming for top three or top four. We just wanted to get back on track and we knew that if we did that then anything was possible.”
Christensen put in a praise-worthy performance against Newcastle United, registering 79 touches and a passing accuracy rate of 94.4% (whoscored.com). If the 24-year-old does continue his good run of form, Tuchel will have a real decision to make once Thiago Silva emerges fit to play.
Yes okay next Wednesday he will be on the sidelines Silva will get maybe 15 or 20 minutes at Southampton but Madrid he will start