Thiago Silva has already done a lot for Chelsea since joining the club last summer, but perhaps the best thing that comes from his transfer is the impact it has had on Andreas Christensen.
Christensen was thrown aside to make room for the Brazilian earlier in the season and was included in the starting lineup in February due to an injury to Silva, and it could not have worked better for him.
Silva’s injury opened the door to Christensen | Sam Bagnall – AMA / Getty Images
Christensen has played in the heart of Thomas Tuchel’s back three and has looked like a man obsessed during his time on the team. He has filled Silva with perfection, which gives the dominance and calm that only the veteran would offer.
Tuchel is now in a bit of trouble. Silva is back from injury and has not done anything to deserve a spell on the bench, especially considering his close relationship with the boss, but how can he justify losing Christensen?
On his way to Saturday’s meeting with West Bromwich Albion, Christensen drives over 14 hours for the club and the country without conceding a goal, but he has not only been a passenger during that time. The Dane has been superb and has pulled his team to clean sheets after sheets.
Chelsea have many elite artists today, but Christensen must be the first name on the team sheet, regardless of who knocks on the door.
Awesome Andreas has been nominated for Premier League Player of the Month! ?
? ️ Get your vote! ?
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 26, 2021
The 24-year-old has recovered from a shaky season last year in an emphatic way, and not only is he doing well for his sake, but Christensen is making his teammates better. Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and even Emerson have all looked better with him, while Cesar Azpilicueta gets so much license to strive forward because of his solidity at the back.
Luis Suarez, Joao Felix, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Son Heung-min are just some of the names that have become unbound against Christensen and his gang of happy men recently, and Tuchel can not afford to disturb that for that.
If Christensen is bedridden for Silva, expect it to be temporary. He played twice in international service and could probably benefit from a rest, and with a big Champions League meeting with Porto on the horizon, it can be a smart move to keep the Dane healthy.
But if Christensen can play, he must. He simply has to.
Christensen has reached a new level | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Chelsea are looking for a young, experienced center-back who will take over from Silva next season and lead the team for the next decade, but they may have just stumbled upon the perfect alternative in Christensen.
Tuchel must give him the chance he deserves to prove himself capable of leading this team. If there is something to go over in recent weeks, he has all the tools needed to do so.
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