Chelsea urged to AVOID re-signing star perfect for Barcelona

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2024 07:28 GMT
• 4 min read

Barcelona have taken the shock decision to transfer list starting defender Andreas Christensen, leading to some suggestions that Chelsea might wish him to return to Stamford Bridge.

Christensen departed Chelsea in the summer of 2022 as a free agent to hook up with Barcelona, where he has gone on to play 52 games for the Camp Nou club.

But the Catalans’ poor financial position means that they are considering selling a player who has regularly started beside Ronald Araujo in the heart of their defence.

Sport reports that Barcelona could be open to a deal in the summer, with the club of the belief that six central defensive players are too many.

With Xavi favouring Araujo and Jules Kounde as his top defenders, Christensen could be sacrificed.

However, differing reports suggest Araujo could be on his way, with Barcelona’s financial problems such that they will have to listen to serious offers for virtually any player in their squad.

According to data analytics experts SciSports, Christensen is best suited for Barca, with the Catalan side coming out on top in their Club Fit score using their Career Advice tool.

Barcelona score an excellent 90, with Bayern Munich at 86 the only team capable of offering him even close to what the Camp Nou side can in terms of his development.

Chelsea fans say no to Christensen return

Chelsea, meanwhile, are nowhere to be seen in this regard and fans are not eager to have Christensen back in their ranks.

The manner in which the Denmark international departed the club continues to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many Blues.

When one popular Chelsea X account asked if the club should make a move, the answer was clear.

“No. Doesn't start over the players we bought to replace him, and he should never be forgiven for abandoning us on the morning of an FA Cup Final,” one user says.

“Feels like a regressive step. Also isn’t a huge upgrade / instant starter so no point,” another added.

A third chimed in: “I won't take back a player who always have a running stomach when it's time for big games.”

Given the volume of centre-backs that Chelsea have at their disposal, even the likely departure of Thiago Silva at the end of his contract means that there will be little room for Christensen at Stamford Bridge, so a deal is purely speculative.