The advice Chelsea's Christensen ignored to sign for FC Barcelona
The defender had bigger offers elsewhere but wanted to be part of Xavi's project
Sten Christensen, the father and agent of Andreas Christensen, has not got his way. Sten manages his son's career and was rubbing his hands together at the new contract he could obtain this summer.
Defender Christensen is out of contract with Chelsea on June 30 and the face he can move for free means he can ask for an even bigger deal or signing on fee. However, Andreas didn't follow that path.
Sporting reasons have weighed heavier in the Danish international's decision to sign for Barça. The player's father preferred to renew with Chelsea, who wanted him at all cost and would have paid a renewal bonus, or to stay in the Premier League, where they practically had their pick of clubs. Bayern Munich were also interested.
Barça's offer was not as high as the English clubs, but it was the one that drew Christensen's interest. It will also be a big contract, it's worth adding, but with in the club's new policy on salary limits.
Xavi's project
Christensen wants to play for Barça and was attracted by Xavi's project. Barça still carry weight in the football world and not even his father could persuade him to change his mind.
Sten Christensen was also a professional footballer. He played in goal for Brondby when the legendary Peter Schmeichel signed for Manchester United and retired to take charge of his son's career, who very early on had big expectations on his shoulders. Aged 15, he signed for Chelsea and his father has always ensured his career follows a good path.
