Andreas Christensen To Barcelona : What He May Bring To The Blaugrana

Since about two or three days ago we are seeing speculations regarding Chelsea center back Andreas Christensen. News sources are claiming that the Danish defender has agreed a deal to join Barcelona on a free transfer this coming summer. Christensen has been a Chelsea academy product, though not entirely. He arrived at Chelsea at a very young age and has been in the ranks since. Recently he has found his form and has been a reliable figure in Chelsea's defense. But now that he's joining Barcelona, we should have a look whether he fits in the Catalan team or not and how much of a realistic buy he will be.

Christensen is apparently an updated version of Eric Garcia or Lenglet considering the playing style. Christiensen is great as a ball playing defender. His main ability is to block the opponent's shots or passes using interception skills, positioning sense, and to provide the ball in the best possible passing option without losing the ball by resisting press even when the opponent's are hyperpressing, using his ball playing ability in under pressure situation smartly. His average passing accuracy is 90%. He provides line breaking passes, attempts long balls. A defender who uses his brain such as Christensen in the center of the defense is undoubtedly a great edition.

Christensen joined Chelsea from Brondby in 2012 at the age of 15. After making his debut for Chelsea in the League Cup at the age of 18, he was sent on loan to Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach. Christensen proved his potential by getting gametime on loan, becoming the Player of the Season after an impressive performance in his first year. Since then, he was tagged as Danish Maldini / Next John Terry. Despite returning to Chelsea in the 17/18 season, he has not been able to fully grow under Conte, Sarri or Lampard.

Tuchel's three-man backline has brought a major change in Christensen's career. He spent the best part of his Chelsea career as a ball playing defender in the Heart of the Defense, with Rudiger on the left and Azpliceta on the right, after Thiago Silva was injured last season. You can say Christensen is a brain player, which uses more brain than body. Although he might adapt at Barca as a ball playing defender in defense, it is uncertain how much leadership quality will be provided to the team, including space covering, physicality, speed, and aerial or ground duel wins. Even though he of the similar profile as Pique or Araujo to fit in the ball playing role, he still has some weaknesses which puts him on par with Garcia, Lenglet or Umtiti. Ultimately he is another addition to Barca's defense in the attempt to find a replacement for Pique with a long time asset being Araujo.

Since Xavi himself is pushing for a player with a market value of 35 million euros in the transfer market for free, it can be said that he has a different plan for him. Christensen has a tendency to develop himself, which is evident in Tuchel's time. I hope Christensen adds a new dimension to Barca's fragile defense according to Xavi's liking. And Xavi is pretty much reliable about who he buys for the club. As he is responsible for every signing recommendation and approval from Barcelona. It is rare for Barca coaches to have such freedom in recent times. However, we are aware of Xavi's affection on Sevilla defender Kounde, and Xavi also wants to see profiles like Koulibali in his own defense. It's evident that Xavi wants a top profile physical and speedy defender. Whether or not they spend big money in the summer. Barca might snipe another defender as they look to build a solid foundation. And the rest of it? Only time will tell.