Andreas Christensen plays down father's threat of Chelsea exit but insists he wants to play more

Andreas Christensen has played down his father’s claim that he will look to leave Chelsea in January, but reiterated that he is far from happy with his lack of first-team minutes under Maurizio Sarri.

Having earned the trust of Antonio Conte and established himself as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge last season, Christensen has fallen down the defensive pecking order this term as a result of David Luiz’s return to prominence and Sarri’s shift from a wing-back system to a back four.

Last month the 22-year-old’s father and agent, Sten Christensen, told Danish television that his son would ask for a permanent move away from Chelsea if he is not playing more by January.

But when asked by Sky Sports if he expects to leave Stamford Bridge in the New Year, Christensen replied: “Difficult question. No, I don't think so.

“Things are different from last season. I played a lot of games [last season] but this season it hasn't been like that. It's always difficult for a player but we'll see what happens.”

Christensen returned to Chelsea in the summer of 2017 after a hugely productive two-year loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and eventually displaced David Luiz at the heart of Conte’s three-man central defence on merit, starting 23 times of 38 Premier League games.

But this season has seen him limited to EFL Cup and Europa League appearances, with Luiz fundamental to Sarri’s plans alongside Antonio Rudiger.

“If you asked every player that's not playing if they're happy, they're going to say no,” Christensen added. “Everyone wants to play.

“I can't do anything else but go back there, train and do my best. Every time I get that opportunity, I have to do well and show him [Sarri] that he can count on me.

“You don't want to sit around and wait for it. You want to play straight away and that's why we all play football. Not playing is not fun. It's a different situation to last season.”