Like many connected to Chelsea, defender Andreas Christensen has been waiting anxiously to see if the club can overturn their transfer ban.
While the focus has been on FIFA’s decision affecting whether players can come to Stamford Bridge, it is hugely significant for the future of players already there.
Christensen is one who has more to gain should the verdict not go Chelsea’s way. With Gary Cahill certain to depart when his contract expires in the summer and David Luiz yet to sign an extension, the academy graduate is in line to become a first XI regular.
It was a role he had last term, until a mistake in a Champions League tie against Barcelona triggered a downturn in form and fortune.
Maurizio Sarri has needed a lot of convincing over the 23-year-old’s abilities, leaving him reliant on the Europa League for game time. Half of his 20 starts this term have come in the second tier tournament.
In Pictures | Chelsea vs West Ham | 08/04/2019
Inevitably such a poor return has led to questions over whether Christensen will stay at the Bridge. Given Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus have made enquiries, which were all given short shrift by the hierarchy, the Dane knows he has options.
Comments attributed to Christensen in his homeland last month appeared to suggest Chelsea have told him he will not be sold should the two-window ban remain.
On the eve of Thursday night's quarter-final first leg here against Slavia, he put the record straight — no such conversation has taken place yet but he wants to remain with the Blues regardless.
When asked by Standard Sport to clarify the situation, he replied: “It’s always difficult when I speak in Danish and it’s translated.
“I’ve said I’d like to stay, but they haven’t said I’m definitely staying. I’ve said what I want to happen and that was definitely staying.
“I’ve still got a long contract (2022). I’m still proud to be a Chelsea player. I’ve been here since I was 16. The club have done a lot for me.
“All the cup games and the Europa League have been very important in keeping me up to speed. I want to play every game, but I’ve taken my frustration out in this competition. It’s been helping me a lot.”
With Chelsea facing Liverpool on Sunday, Christensen will be one of several changes made to the line-up from the side that beat West Ham three days ago.
Slavia, who knocked out Sevilla in the last round, have a seven-point lead in the Czech First League and coach Jindrich Trpisovsky has taken encouragement from watching tapes of Chelsea’s defeats to Bournemouth, Wolves and Leicester.
“I believe Slavia is very strong,” Trpisovsky said. “We’ve seen teams put Chelsea under pressure.”
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