Chelsea defender told to commit future to club by Tuchel

Over the past 12 months, Chelsea’s defensive record has been the envy of every club in Europe, if not the world. 

The Blues broke the record for least goals conceded on the way to winning the Champions League last term, and have started this season in equally rigid fashion.

After 13 Premier League matches, they have kept eight clean sheets and conceded just five goals, and are still yet to concede a goal in the Champions League with just one group stage fixture remaining.

Despite Chelsea’s success and their impeccable defensive record, manager Thomas Tuchel will undoubtedly have one eye on what is going on behind the scenes.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen are all set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

While there has been little news surrounding Azpilicueta and veteran defender Silva, talks have been ongoing with Rudiger and Christensen, although neither defender has committed yet.

Christensen will be out of contract in the summer.

Both players have enjoyed a change in fortunes at Stamford Bridge and, after looking out of favour in recent seasons, the pair are now arguably two of the club’s most important players.

Now, Tuchel has sent a very public message to Christensen, encouraging the Dane to sign an extension to his current deal.

Speaking in the build up to the Blues’ match against Watford on Wednesday, Tuchel urged his player to sign a deal.

“We have to hope that it influences the contract situation a little bit,” the German told reporters of Christensen’s lack of game time in recent weeks.

“My understanding was that it was a matter of a very short period before we have good news.

“As I understood it, the club wants the same, the player wants the same, the coach wants the same; to stay.

“That’s why for me it was a zero-problem situation.

“But we are waiting a long time now for confirmation and it’s on Andreas to act. How he acts on the pitch, he needs to act now offend walk the talk because he tells us that he loves Chelsea.”

The 25-year-old defender has been an unused substitute in each of the Blues’ last three fixtures, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be involved in Wednesday’s game against the Hornets.