Andreas Christensen: "John Terry is my idol in football. I trust him."
Andreas Christensen, Chelsea player on loan at Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, sat down with Derwesten to discuss how he thought his first season in Grmany went and also where he sees his future. Thanks to @Joostna for leading me to this article.
The interviewer starts by asking 'AC' about his debut in the Bundesliga. Away to Dortmund in 4-0 loss.
Andreas Christensen: "That was a really catastrophic start for me, without question a year ago. Since then I have improved pretty much."
Interviewer: You are considered the best central defender in the Bundesliga. Behind Jerome Boateng and Hummels.
Christensen: "Well, that's pretty high. Nevertheless, I have been working meticulously to look at my games to analyse errors and not do it in the next game."
Interviewer: Just your good understanding of the game is obvious. You have the lowest rate of challenges by a central defender in the Bundesliga.
Christensen: "I'm just trying to clean up a lot of situations with good positional play. That usually works. I only received one yellow card. That was at 1:2 in Wolfsburg. And the warning was unjustified then."
Interviewer: Are German referees worse than English?
Christensen: "Yes, in England the referees let games run more. In the Bundesliga, I often think: Man, that was not a foul! Against Darmstadt last season, for example, there were 23 free kicks in ten minutes. In England it is more physical, and there are far fewer whistles from the referees."
Interviewer: They are very wiry, you need to define a more physical pace in the Premier League to perform physically?
Christensen: "A little, although I'm already become stronger. I have during the season put on a good six kilograms."
Interviewer: Has the new Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has already reported to you?
Christensen: "No, I have currently only been contacted in London by the people who take care of the training area."
Interviewer: The season is the decision to remain in Gladbach or Chelsea. A contract expires 2017 is this more pressure?
Christensen: "I hope not. Before the winter break I will not speculate on the situation, a decision is for later in the season."
Interviewer: How will you make the decision?
Christensen: "Clearly it'll will be where I can get more play to develop myself. This may also be at Borussia. I have international ambitions, which might be at Chelsea once again in the new season."
Interviewer: Under Jose Mourinho, only three brief appearances before the loan came from Gladbach.
Christensen: "That was for me, at that time than the age of 18, no problem. Chelsea won almost everything and became champion. Because it is risky for a coach, sometimes tentatively put at a very young player in central defence. Even for a strong personality like Mourinho."
Interviewer: On John Terry?
Christensen: "Yes, we talk frequently. He taught me in my time at Chelsea a lot. I trust him. He is my idol in football."
Interviewer: Who will be the biggest challenge for you in the Bundesliga?
Christensen: "Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund is insanely fast and very difficult to stop. Generally Dortmund plays fast. This is a problem for any opponent. Lewandowski from Bayern is also a great player. He is always there, where it could be tough. The one must never lose sight of.
Interviewer: Who was your toughest opponent to date?
Christensen: "Clearly Sergio Aguero of Manchester City. He is fast, dynamic and despite his small body incredibly physical and hard. There you have a lot of work as a central defender."
