Denmark coach: Christensen reminds me of Franz Beckenbauer
Things just keep getting better for young Andreas Christensen. On Thursday, he made his debut for Denmark in a 2-1 friendly win against Iceland playing in a back three. He left the pitch enhancing his reputation as the worlds best young centre back in the game and Denmark coach compared him to Franz Beckenbauer.
"He reminds me of Franz Beckenbauer," said Hareide. "He still has work to do to reach him in his playing style, because hes really relaxed and elegant. It almost looks like he could be playing in a suit."
"He has a great football future ahead of him. Actually, he has a difficult role (in the national team, ed.), For it requires perhaps even more experience than he has, but he solves anyway task brilliantly."
"Yesterday [vs Iceland] he did fantastic (what was his debut for Denmark). He went in to the game with the calmness that was needed, he was strong in duels, and anticipatory. He has the whole package, and hes humble and listens, so I am well impressed by him." said national team captain, Daniel Agger.
Simon Kjaer, Denmark defender, has praise for his teammate Christensen after playing alongside him against Iceland.
"I knew him not so much as a player before yesterday, but there is no doubt that the 'AC' has fantastic much quality. The calmness he has, causing it to look as though he has played 100 matches. He is a healthy and humble boy who listen and to learn, and it makes it easy to play with him." says Kjaer.
Andreas remained calm about his praise he's getting. "I am happy with my own performance. The team also played well, so it was really nice," he says. "I'll pretty much do the same things as I did yesterday (Thursday, ed.). I just need to make them better and take some other decisions. There is always something to do better. I tried to be calm, and it was I actually also throughout the game. Maybe I should not just play in the suit, but I think I was calm. And it's also the team's profits."
Speaking on the role Andreas has with Denmark, Ã…ge Hareide said: "He must be deeply between Simon Kjaer and Daniel Agger, when we defend, and then up in midfield and be defensive midfielder when we attack. It requires both wisdom and courage to solve it, but he fixes it perfectly fine."
"He can do many things, and he seems older than 19 years old, when you see him play. He plays well also at the top level (daily), and it does just that he gets better and better. He is an interesting man for the future."
Andreas Christensen's next chance to impress is on Tuesday, March 29, when the national team meets Scotland in Glasgow.
