Report – The reason why Barcelona opted to renew injury-prone defender | OneFootball

Although it has yet to be made official, Barcelona and Andreas Christensen have already reached an agreement to extend their partnership for a further two seasons.

The deal, which is expected to be signed in the coming days, includes a clause allowing either party to end the agreement in June 2027.

Christensen’s previous contract was due to expire on 30 June, but despite two injury-hit seasons and limited appearances, the Danish defender will remain at the club.

Flick’s faith the decisive factor

According to SPORT, the main reason behind Christensen’s renewal at Barcelona is Hansi Flick’s confidence in the player.

The German coach values his experience, reliability and versatility, believing he remains an important squad option when fit.

Flick has total faith in Christensen. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Christensen’s ability to play both as a central defender and in midfield adds another dimension to his game.

Flick sees him as an ideal player to strengthen the squad depth required for a season in which Barcelona hope to compete on every front.

The coaching staff are convinced that, if injuries leave him alone, the 30-year-old still has plenty to offer.

Highly regarded within the club

Barcelona’s sporting department also appreciates Christensen’s attitude. Throughout his time at the club, he has been considered a model professional who has never caused any issues behind the scenes.

He has always put the team first, even when his injuries were used administratively to help facilitate the registrations of players such as Dani Olmo and, previously, João Cancelo.

That willingness to cooperate has earned him considerable respect inside the club.

His new deal also comes with a significantly reduced salary, something that helps Barcelona lower their wage bill and direct more resources towards other priorities, particularly the search for a new centre-forward.

Laporta’s promise

Living up to his promise. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona president-elect Joan Laporta also played a key role in the decision. Following Christensen’s unfortunate knee injury last December, he quickly made it clear that Barcelona would not abandon a player whose contract was nearing its end.

From that moment, the intention was to offer him a renewal, provided the defender accepted the revised financial terms. Christensen did exactly that.

A difficult spell

Christensen has endured a frustrating period since joining Barcelona on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2022.

His latest setback came in December, when he suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The injury kept him sidelined until the final league match of the season against Valencia.

The previous campaign had been equally troublesome. Achilles tendon problems and a muscular injury restricted him to just six appearances during Hansi Flick’s first season in charge.

Across the last two years, injuries have prevented the centre-back from building any continuity. Yet the Blaugrana have never seriously considered moving on from him.

Both the coaching staff and the sporting department remain convinced that Christensen can still be a valuable asset if his body finally gives him some respite.

The hope inside the club is that his recent run of bad luck comes to an end and that he can rediscover the form he showed during his first season in Catalonia.