MX23RW : Thursday, December 20 18:11:28

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde plays down Andreas Christensen talk

Valverde plays down Christensen talk
© Reuters
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde pours doubt on reports that the club have made an offer for out-of-favour Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has insisted that he is "happy" with the options available to him amid speculation that the club have made an offer for out-of-favour Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen.

Christensen enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Stamford Bridge last season, but the 22-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Maurizio Sarri and has been limited to just one Premier League appearance so far this term.

Recent reports have claimed that Barca have lodged a loan bid for the Denmark international, but Valverde believes that he already has enough choice at centre-back so long as Samuel Umtiti recovers as expected from injury.

"We want four centre-backs who can play," he told reporters at a press conference.

"Umtiti could recover and that would be great news for us and would mean that we would have four centre-backs for the rest of the season, although three are left-footed.

"We will know more about what happens with him in a little while, but we are Barcelona and want to have a team who can respond. As I said, we'll see what happens but I'm happy to manage with what I have."

In addition to Umtiti, Barcelona also have Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Thomas Vermaelen as centre-back options.


Click here for more stories about Ernesto Valverde

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Andreas Christensen in action for Chelsea
Read Next:
Report: Barcelona keen on Andreas Christensen
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1714303773045
2Manchester CityMan City17142148103844
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs17130431161539
4Chelsea17114235142137
5Arsenal17104337231434
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd177552929026
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves177461919025
8Everton176652422224
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham177372525024
10Watford177372325-224
11Bournemouth177282528-323
12Leicester CityLeicester176472121022
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176382024-421
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle174491422-816
15Crystal Palace1743101423-915
16Cardiff CityCardiff1742111733-1614
17Southampton172691632-1612
18Burnley1733111533-1812
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1724111028-1810
20Fulham1723121642-269

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account