Andreas Christensen is a rare breed: A product of Chelsea's loan system who was schooled by John Terry, David Luiz and the Bundesliga... and now he can lead them for the next decade

It says a lot of Andreas Christensen's rise up the ranks at Chelsea that last month, away at Huddersfield Town, he was called off with 10 minutes to go.

Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante, the two main drivers of Antonio Conte's team, had been withdrawn to get some rest with the game as good as won. Christensen was up next.

Six years on from moving to Stamford Bridge, and just six months after returning from loan, Antonio Conte sees this young Denmark international as the key man at the centre of his defence. 


Andreas Christensen celebrates his new deal signing with Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia

Andreas Christensen celebrates his new deal signing with Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia

Christensen made his debut for Chelsea in 2014 and is a rare success from their youth ranks

Christensen made his debut for Chelsea in 2014 and is a rare success from their youth ranks

The Danish defender has usurped David Luiz to play at the centre of Chelsea's backline

The Danish defender has usurped David Luiz to play at the centre of Chelsea's backline

With a four-and-a-half-year contract freshly signed, Christensen will start his 19th game of the season in Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal. Chelsea plan for him to be a defensive mainstay for the next decade. 

Having impressed in the youth ranks at Brondby in his homeland, Chelsea snapped the then 15-year-old up ahead of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Ajax back in February 2012.

David Luiz was Andre Villas-Boas' main man at the back then. Today, Christensen has usurped him after a six-year education that has taken in lessons from John Terry, Germany's Bundesliga and his Brazilian team-mate.

Conte rates Christensen as Chelsea's 'best surprise of the season' and a potential future captain of the club. In fact, some of his early mentoring came from Chelsea's most successful skipper.

Five-time title-winner Terry would invite the Dane to take up extra sessions with him after training, making a note of his talent and publicly stating his belief that Christensen would make it as 'a top footballer and one of the future men for Chelsea'.

Two years at Borussia Monchengladbach helped hone Christensen into a top-class defender

Two years at Borussia Monchengladbach helped hone Christensen into a top-class defender

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN - 2017-18 
Games played 16
Minutes played1223
Tackles per 90mins1.40
Interceptions per 90mins1.55
Passes per 90 mins56.37
Passing accuracy93.87%
Goals conceded per 90mins0.74
Premier League only 

Christensen is arguably the first player to make the transition from Chelsea's youth ranks to established member of the first team since Terry over a decade ago. 

The now Aston Villa defender has taken personal enjoyment from Christensen's rise up the ranks. Terry was on the bench when he debut, at 17, in a League Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town in October 2014.

Two further first-team appearances followed in the 2014-15 season, Christensen picking up valuable experience around Chelsea's first team, before he really began to cut his teeth.

At 18, Chelsea sent him out to Borussia Monchengladbach on a two-year deal that proved to be one of the most successful of the raft set up by the Premier League champions each year.

Gladbach presented chances to play in the biggest games: Bundesliga, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus. It was a learning curve.

John Terry was among those to back Christensen early on in his Chelsea career

John Terry was among those to back Christensen early on in his Chelsea career

'After two seasons on loan in Germany we were convinced he was ready to be a part of the squad this season,' Chelsea's director and chief deal-maker Marina Granovskaia said this week.

Christensen won his loan club's player of the season award in his first year, ahead of then captain and potential Wednesday-night opponent Granit Xhaka.

He impressed through the second year too, gathering a total of 82 appearances to prepare him for life at Chelsea.

Returning in the summer, chances dripped out. A first Premier League start came in a 2-1 win at Tottenham when Harry Kane was kept quiet. From early November – and the 1-0 win over Manchester United – onwards, his fixture in the defence has become pretty much permanent.

The way Luiz, a £32million purchase 18 months ago, has been usurped by Christensen would leave some senior players bitter. But according to the new incumbent of the role at the centre of Chelsea's back three, the Brazilian has acted as a mentor.

Christenen came up against the likes of Lionel Messi and Barcelona while in Germany

Christenen came up against the likes of Lionel Messi and Barcelona while in Germany

'He tries to make it fun, he always jokes around,' Christensen says. 'But he's been a good help for me, coming back. Everyone has – but he's made it a lot easier.'

And that is what is striking about the way Christensen plays at Chelsea: the ease of it all.

He is the youngest member of their defence, playing what is arguably its most tactically intense role, but plucks balls from the air like it's nothing and his passing has been excellent.

Harry Kane finds himself caught out by Christensen on the Dane's first start of the season

Harry Kane finds himself caught out by Christensen on the Dane's first start of the season

A lack of pressure on Chelsea's defence makes his pass completion rate of 93.86 per cent, the second-best of all Premier League centre backs, less impressive but gives some idea of his class.

'In the academy they always prepare you to play football, you always want the ball, and that's what the team wants to do this season as well,' Christensen says.

'Growing up with the Chelsea mentality made it easier. Then when you've got players like my team-mates around you it's easy, really.'

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette could come up against Christensen again on Wednesday

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette could come up against Christensen again on Wednesday

That's one significant vote for Chelsea's much-maligned youth system which plenty of others have found it tough to deal with. 'Everything fitted perfectly, I don't know if I'm lucky, but it's been easy to come back,' he adds.

Arsenal know they are in for a difficult test on Wednesday night against a 21-year-old defender who, it seems, can take anything in his stride.