Speaking in an interview with TV3, Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen has made it clear that he is not looking to leave the club this summer and wishes to fulfil his contract.
Christensen, 28, joined Barcelona in 2022 and has become a key part of the team, helping the Catalans win the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup last season.
The Dane has helped out as a defensive midfielder in the ongoing campaign, proving his worth to the team. Despite that, there have been some speculations about his future, but the ex-Chelsea man ruled out an exit, saying:
“I have no doubt that I’ll be here next season. I still have two years left on my contract and I am happy.”
Christensen also spoke about the future of manager Xavi Hernandez, who has announced that he will be on his way out in the summer.
Like Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the Danish defender also stated that he hopes to see Xavi continue as manager.
“For me it’s tough. He brought me here, he made my dream come true. Obviously, I’d like him to stay, but I can’t do anything but respect his decision and try to improve every day to help him win games,” he said.
As mentioned earlier, Christensen has filled in as a pivot midfielder for Barcelona this season and has done a solid job of it despite not being very familiar with the role. When asked about the switch in roles, he said:
“The adaptation process has been fast. I’m enjoying it. Obviously, there are still many aspects of this role that I still have to learn and improve.
“It hasn’t been completely difficult because I’m a defender and the role is basically defensive , with the aim of giving some balance and avoiding the counter-attacks of the rivals.”
However, Christensen insisted that he still sees himself as a centre-back saying: “But obviously, I see myself as a defender. If I get to improve these things, I may change my mind, but right now I see myself more playing central defence.”
Christensen was also full of praise for breakthrough prodigy Pau Cubarsi for the way he has taken to first-team football while he also spoke highly of Lamine Yamal.
“I can only have good words for Cubarsi. He has seized the opportunity from the first moment. He has come into the team very well. He has helped us a lot,” the Dane said.
“Not only him. Also Lamine and the other youngsters. Maybe they don’t know. Imagine the way they have helped us, but of course, they have taken us to another level.
“Everyone at the club is very impressed with their performances. They are two very good players with the ball at their feet.”
Christensen also dismissed any talks of rifts in the dressing room following the statements of Ilkay Gundogan and Ronald Araujo in the aftermath of the loss to PSG.
“I smile when you ask me because nothing has happened. I can assure you that situations like these do not affect us. Today they and, in fact, all of us shook hands and smiled to try to turn the page on the hard defeat against PSG,” he said.
“There is nothing that can destroy the relationships that have been built in this dressing room. And less things like this.”
