Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has dismissed claims by Andreas Christensen’s agent and father that the Danish international will look to leave in January if he continues to be left out of the first team.

The Blues boss says the 22-year-old has played more in recent weeks, but it’s hard to leave out either Antonio Rudiger or David Luiz who have both been playing well:

“I think that in the first part of the season David and Antonio have played very well, it is not easy to change. In our last six matches, Christensen has played in three matches. I think for his father he thinks he is not important, but for us he is important.”

“He is very young, he has to improve, but I think he is a technical defender so is suitable for my way of football. In the future, he will be able to play very often.”

Sten Christensen was asked about his son’s future in a recent interview and stated that the player would seek a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge rather than a loan departure if his game time doesn’t increase in the coming months:

“If his situation doesn’t change around Christmas, we’ll obviously schedule a chat with Chelsea and say: ‘Okay, what can we do for Andreas? Can we move him?’”

“For me, it’s not a loan again. Either it’s Chelsea or else he needs to leave. I don’t think a loan is the optimal situation for Andreas. It’s sort of either or.”

Prior to his elevation to first-team duties under Antonio Conte last season, Christensen had spent two years on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, and it seems that, despite his relatively young age, the centre-back is keen to be a regular at the Blues or at another club.

The Dane has recently lost his place in Denmark’s first team which may also be playing on his mind.