Andreas Christensen will leave Chelsea in January if game time does not increase, says father

Christensen's father, who is his agent, suggested he will hand in a transfer request if he cannot get more starts

The defender has not played in the Premier League this season (Getty)

Andreas Christensen will hand in a transfer request to leave Chelsea in the January window if he is not given more first team opportunities under Maurizio Sarri, claims his father, who is also his agent.

Sarri’s arrival has seen Chelsea revert to a back four, with Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz as the new manager’s preferred central partnership, forcing Christensen to make do with a bit part role in secondary competitions.

The Danish defender described his start to the season as "very difficult" after starting in two Europa League matches and a League Cup tie, and his father is putting a plan in place to move him on in the winter transfer window.

“If his situation doesn’t change around Christmas, we’ll obviously schedule a chat with Chelsea and say, “Okay, what can we do for Andreas? Can We move him?’” his father and agent, Sten, said on Danish television.

“I’m of the conviction that we’ll attempt to move Andreas in the winter time [if he’s not playing]. Around Christmas, something else needs to happen.”

Sarri was asked about Christensen’s situation, as he prepares to face Manchester United in his biggest game as Chelsea manager to date, and was adamant that Christensen was getting adequate game time.

Andreas Christensen was a key player under Antonio Conte last seaosn (Getty)

“I am not interested with the father,” said the Chelsea manager. “I think in the first part of the season David and Rudiger have played very well so it is not easy to change. In the last six he has played in three. For his father the Europa League may not be important, but for us it is.

“He is young, he can improve. He is a technical player so is suitable for our way of football.”

Sten added that they would reject any offer from Chelsea to send Christensen on loan given the number of players that fail to return to the first team after playing elsewhere. Christensen had a successful loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach for two seasons from 2015-2017, but a temporary move won’t happen again.

“For me, it’s not a loan again. Either it’s Chelsea or else he needs to leave. I don’t think a loan is the optimal solution for Andreas. It’s sort of either or," said Sten.

“I think, unfortunately, Chelsea have too many players who just go out on loan if they aren’t going to use them, and I don’t think Andreas should get caught in that."