Thomas Tuchel issues Andreas Christensen contract ultimatum

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has confessed that Andreas Christensen's recent lack of minutes stems from the ongoing uncertainty about his future.

The Dane's deal is up at the end of the season and Chelsea thought that they had reached an agreement a few months ago, only for his agent to decline the offer late in negotiations and change his demands.

Despite that, there had been optimism that Christensen would still extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, but fans are still waiting for some good news and things have now taken a turn as the 25-year-old has been benched for his side's last three games.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's clash with Watford on Wednesday, Tuchel confessed that he has been disappointed with the delay and urged Christensen to prove his love for the club by signing an extension sooner rather than later.

"I have no good news," he said (via football.london). "It was my understanding weeks ago that Andreas wants the same as me and the club. This is why, for me, it was a zero-problem situation because everybody wanted the same as I understood it.

"We are waiting a long time now for confirmation. It’s on Andreas to act how he acts on the pitch off the pitch and walk the talk.

"He tells us he loves Chelsea, that he wants to stay and be a big part, because he is a big part of a big club. I think he is the perfect fit, he is not done yet here, his career here is not finished. He can still develop and be a big, big player. But like I said it’s on him. We want the commitment. Hopefully, we get it."

Tuchel was then asked whether he felt Christensen's recent spell out of the team could harm his chances of renewing, but the boss insisted that he hopes it will actually convince him to sign on.

"We have the hope it influences the contract situation a little bit," he confessed. "My understanding was in a very short period we would have good news. I said around the international break that for me, it is a matter of days that we think we can give good news about Andreas.

"As I understood it, the club wants the same, the player wants the same, and the coach wants the same: to stay. That’s why we need the commitment and we can continue."


Source : 90min