Tuchel says Chelsea are "not happy about" Christensen's situation

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel concedes Andreas Christensen's future at the club is "in doubt" as he closes in on a move to Barcelona.

SPORT have reported that Barça hope to close and agreement with the Danish defender this week ahead of signing him on a free transfer in the summer.

“Well it’s in doubt," Tuchel said when asked about Christensen's future. "We hear the rumours and the situation with Andreas is also since many weeks clear. And we are not happy about it.

“Because we, I, me personally and club representatives, we think that it’s best for him to stay -- and we rely heavily on him. He did not sign yet, so you cannot not communicate. This is also a signal to us.

“And the communication from his side is that he did not sign until now. So we have to consider the possibility that he leaves us. Will we like it? No. Will we live with it? Yes."

Tuchel appeared to suggest that even if he doesn't renew, Christensen will still be used for the rest of the season, although maybe not as much as he would have if renewed.

“Things are not personal, never, never should be personal," the coach added. "But this can happen. But I have no further information. Not even information that I don’t want to share, just no information at all.

“These things happen and I try and normally it is the best thing not to take them personally when things like this happen. He’s still our player and we will do what’s best for us until his contract expires.

“He’s a Chelsea player -- that’s the point -- and he knows we appreciate him a lot.”