A generation comes to an end soon as Chelsea’s legendary skipper John Terry, prepares to hang up the boot at the end of the season after almost 2 decades at the Stamford Bridge. The 36-year-old has only started 4 Premier League games and appeared from the bench on one occasion under Conte, and the need to get a replacement is pertinent.
A perfect option to take Terry’s place is none other than Chelsea’s youngster Andreas Christensen. The 20-year-old centre-half is currently on loan at the German league with Borussia Monchengladbach, and has been one of the Bundesliga club’s best players.
The Denmark international defender linked up with Chelsea on a free transfer in February 2012 as a 16-year-old from Brøndby IF, and made his professional debut almost some 3 years later in October 2014. A lack of playing opportunity saw him make a temporary exit in the summer of 2015, signing a 2-year loan deal with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Ever since then, Christensen has grown in leaps and bounds, attracting the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Monchengladbach are also keen to secure a permanent deal for the young but solid defender due to his swift development and growth.
Last season’s Borussia Mönchengladbach Player Of The Year featured in all but 3 of the club’s Bundesliga games in 2015-16, putting in an impressive performance at the back that saw them finish in 4th place at the end of the campaign, and also contributing 3 goals in the process.
Andreas Christensen also assisted a goal and created 2 other key passes. His impressive ability and calmness on the ball saw him complete 87% of his passes on an average, while he averaged 0.5 shots per game. Per 90 minutes, he averaged 8 defensive actions, and at the end of the season, he had won 53% of his tackles, 60% of his aerial duel and completed 89% of his take-ons.
That brilliance has continued this season, with his discipline, his defensive capabilities and effectiveness, having gone 12 Bundesliga games without a booking, just like the last term when he was booked once in 31 appearances.
Andreas Christensen has a goal this term, has averaged 0.6 shots per game, and completed 91% of his attempted passes. He is averaging 6 defensive actions per 90, and has won 65% of his aerial duels, 56% of his tackles and completed 33% of his take-ons.
The youngster shares same strengths; passing, interception and concentration with the Chelsea skipper, while he also loves to play short passes, and does not dive into tackles as it is his only noticeable weakness, just as it is Terry’s.
At such young age, he has been able to establish himself as an undisputed starter in one of the biggest clubs on the continent, while he is also a member of the Denmark national team starting XI. He definitely has at least 10 years of quality football ahead of him, can serve as a long-term replacement for Terry and spend the most productive part of his career with the club.
Chelsea needn’t spend a fortune to recruit a quality centre-back or scour Europe for one as they already have one in this Denmark star. Andreas Christensen could be the next John Terry if only the club allows him.