Maurizio Sarri has insisted that Andreas Christensen is not for sale.
The Danish defender, 22, has been a fringe player at Chelsea under Sarri this season and has indicated that he will seek move if that is still the case when the January transfer window opens.
However, speaking at a media conference on Friday afternoon, Blues boss Sarri said Christensen is regarded as an important part of the club’s future.
Sarri was also dismissive of reports claiming that Barcelona had shown an interest in the player.
“Christensen for sure is out of the market at the moment,” said Sarri.
“He’s an important player for us. He didn’t play very often in the Premier League but he played all the other matches.
“He is very young and he is very important. He will be more important than now in the future.”
Danny Drinkwater, however, would be allowed to move on if an offer came in.
The midfielder has not featured at all under Sarri this season and the Italian reiterated that Drinkwater is not part of his plans.
Sarri said: “I think he’s a very good midfielder but he is suitable for a midfield with two midfielders.
“With the three, he’s not really a central midfielder and not suitable to play centre-right or centre-left, so I think for him the problem is only my football.”
Asked if Drinkwater, signed from Leicester in 2017, is likely to leave, Sarri said: “I don’t know. It depends on the club. It’s up to him I think. I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, Christensen has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Leicester because of hamstring problem.
This post was last modified on 21/12/2018