Andreas Christensen has acquired medical clearance and is now out there for choice below Hansi Flick after Barcelona confirmed his restoration from a muscle damage.
The Danish defender has struggled with accidents in latest months, and each he and his new coach are hoping that this time he can return to the squad with none additional setbacks.
For Flick, integrating Christensen into his tactical setup stays considerably unsure, as he has not but had the chance to make use of him recurrently.
His function within the staff is much from assured, and he faces a problem to earn a distinguished place within the beginning XI.
Defence is overcrowded
Andreas Christensen will discover it exhausting to discover a place. (Picture by Stuart Franklin/Getty Photographs)
One of many predominant causes Christensen will discover it tough to determine himself within the squad is the fierce competitors in each central defence—his major place—and the defensive midfield function, the place he featured in the direction of the top of final season below Xavi.
Within the coronary heart of the defence, Hansi Flick has been counting on the partnership of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez.
The 2 centre-backs complement one another effectively, bringing totally different qualities to the backline whereas working effectively to take care of the defensive position and implement the offside entice.
Ronald Araujo, the staff captain, is one other key determine in Barcelona’s defence and is the most definitely to problem the prevailing partnership. His management, bodily presence, and aggressive defensive fashion make him an important element within the squad.
Moreover, Eric Garcia stays a viable possibility, providing versatility as he’s able to entering into the midfield when required.
At this stage, Christensen finds himself because the fifth-choice centre-back, which locations him in a tough place. To make issues more difficult, he’s returning at a time when each match carries important weight.
The struggle is more durable than ever
There isn’t any place in midfield both. (Picture by Eric Alonso/Getty Photographs)
Barcelona are in a relentless battle for the La Liga title, competing within the Champions League spherical of 16, and are additionally pushing for a spot within the Copa del Rey ultimate.
With no room for errors, Flick will must be cautious with squad rotations, making it tougher for Christensen to interrupt into the beginning eleven instantly.
Even when he appears in the direction of the defensive midfield place as a substitute route into the staff, the competitors stays intense.
Marc Casado and Frenkie de Jong have been battling for that function, with the Dutchman at the moment being the popular possibility as a consequence of his skill to distribute the ball successfully and dictate the tempo of play.
Christensen, however, is extra of a conventional defensive participant, providing physicality and positional consciousness fairly than technical brilliance.
His taking part in fashion is considerably just like Garcia’s on this function, however with a stronger bodily presence and fewer emphasis on ball management and distribution.
How can Christensen make himself worthy?
Hansi Flick has a bid choice to make. (Picture by Ronald Martinez/Getty Photographs)
Regardless of these challenges, it might be unwise to fully rule out Christensen’s possibilities of securing a job in Flick’s plans. The German coach appreciates skilled gamers who can present stability in key moments, particularly in a staff stuffed with younger skills.
Christensen, when absolutely match, is a composed and clever defender recognized for his sturdy aerial skill and disciplined marking.
His calmness below stress and tactical consciousness might make him a helpful asset in a system that calls for defenders to take calculated dangers.
At 28 years previous, Christensen is at a stage in his profession the place he ought to be reaching his peak. What he wants most now could be a constant run of video games to regain full confidence and sharpness.
Whether or not he can break into the beginning lineup stays to be seen, but when he stays match and takes his alternatives once they come, he might but turn into an essential determine for Barcelona within the essential months forward.