In football, fates change at an unpredictable pace. A player who was on the verge of leaving the club suddenly finds himself as a pillar of a new project, after the coaching staff’s perception of him changes completely. What was considered a definite departure turned into a new opportunity and a more significant role within the team, marking one of the most unexpected transformations of the season.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, football is full of transformations. Just ask Andreas Christensen. In just a few months, the Danish center-back went from being a near-certain candidate to leave Barcelona to becoming a key part of Hansi Flick’s new project. What seemed like an inevitable departure turned out to be a complete turnaround: Christensen would remain at Barcelona, but in a much larger role than expected.
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At the beginning of the year, Christensen’s future seemed far from Camp Nou. He suffered from recurring injuries that hindered his continuity, and his performances were inconsistent, leading the club’s management to seriously consider selling him if a suitable offer came in, given the need to raise cash and reduce the wage bill. His name was placed on the transfer list.
However, Flick’s arrival at the helm changed everything. Although the German coach couldn’t rely on Christensen at full fitness due to his physical issues, the little he saw was enough to convince him. Flick was impressed by the player’s character, his ability to build play, and his experience in crucial moments. He also believes Christensen is a perfect fit for the style of play he wants to implement at Barcelona.
Flick made sure to send a clear message from the start: Christensen is an indispensable player. During planning meetings for the next season, his name was included among the defensive pillars he would rely on. The German coach wants a reliable, calm, and tactically intelligent defender, and he believes Christensen meets those criteria.
Although the 2024/25 season has been unstable due to injuries, Christensen has performed admirably whenever he has been available. Flick is aware of this and believes that, if Christensen regains his fitness and avoids injury, he will be a key player in the squad. He doesn’t even rule out occasionally deploying him as a holding midfielder, a position he has already played this season and performed well in.
This change in perception of Christensen has led to a shift in the club’s defensive plans. With the arrival of Pau Coparsi, the impressive form of Iñigo Martínez, and Christensen as a reliable option under Flick, Barcelona may be less in a hurry to sign a new center-back, though this still depends on the future of Ronald Araujo.
