Barcelona defender’s fitness issues starting to become a concern – report

On his day, Andreas Christensen can be a top defender and has shown that he can make a difference in his 18 months at Barcelona.

Since joining the Blaugrana from Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, the Dane has done largely well and was a key part of the title-winning team last season.

However, this season, things have not gone all too well for the 27-year-old, who has not been able to perform at his best level and has been bogged down by some fitness woes.

Christensen’s fitness problems becoming a concern

Now, SPORT is reporting that Christensen’s intermittent fitness problems at Barcelona are starting to become somewhat of a concern.

Christensen is a defender that Xavi likes and has the skills that make him an important part of the Blaugrana defence. However, he has been unable to recover his best game this season and to have continuity in the lineup due to various reasons.

Injuries are undoubtedly one of them. Without being very important or lasting for months, the defender’s physical issues are often just aches and pains, which mean that he often arrives at matches in cotton wool or in some discomfort.

At full fitness, Christensen is one of the best defenders in terms of positioning, marking, composure, and ball control. But one or the other fitness issue, like a muscular discomfort or even an illness, have handicapped him this season constantly.

Not completing matches

Christensen is ruled out for tonight’s clash. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

This season, one stat stands out: Christensen has been substituted out of a game at half-time in as many as four games.

The first happened at the start of the league, against Getafe (0-0) when he was replaced by Ez Abde. Even though it seemed a substitution to change the dynamics, Christensen had missed the Joan Gamper Trophy match five days before due to an Achilles tendon issue.

Just two league games later, in Villarreal, Christensen was again left in the dressing room at half-time, with physical discomfort cited as a reason. The third occasion came against Almeria in December, although it was a tactical decision after he had been booked in the first half.

The final occurrence was earlier this week against Unionistas de Salamanca in Copa del Rey, with a physical issue that has ruled him out of tonight’s match against Real Betis.

Christensen missed 15 games in total last season due to varying physical problems and even though he has only missed one match, the number of substitutions due to one or the other fitness issues is a growing concern.