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Christensen: Chelsea FC to take Champions League Final inspiration from 2012 heroes Lampard, Drogba and Terry
Andreas Christensen has told Chelsea’s stars to emulate the legends of 2012 in tomorrow’s Champions League Final.
The Dane dreamed of following in the footsteps of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and John Terry when joining the club 11 years ago. And he is adamant Chelsea’s current generation must seize the chance to be crowned champions of Europe for only the second time in their history.
Standing in their way are Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola aiming to complete a treble after winning the Premier League title and Carabao Cup this season.
Christensen says Chelsea are fully aware of the importance of lifting the trophy in Porto and joining the club’s greats.
“It is a massive occasion for us and we are proud that we have gotten so far,” he said. “For the whole club, it means a lot to be back in the final.
“I joined the club in 2012 when they won it which gave me hope that we could be there (again). Now, it feels great that we are in it.”
Thomas Tuchel has already masterminded back-to-back wins against Guardiola since taking over at Stamford Bridge in January, aiming to complete a hat-trick when the two managers meet at the Estadio do Dragao.
But Christensen says Chelsea’s recent success against City will count for little in Portugal.
“I think we just stepped up to the occasions in both games,” he said. “We have been doing good. I know people are saying we can use it, but sometimes the final is just different. It’s one game and anything can happen.
“Even like the FA Cup Final against Leicester. We know we can beat them, but finals are completely different. That’s our mindset that we just have to step up and do our game. We know a final could be different, but we do what we do.”
Christensen can still remember watching as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout to win the Champions League in 2012.
"I think I had just signed when it happened - or I knew I was going to sign,” he said. “I remember I was with the Danish national youth team and we watched it. Some of the guys were huge Chelsea fans and were watching it in their room.
“Football has always been a big part of my life and I used to dream, watching these finals, to be in one myself.”
Christensen is hoping to start on Saturday night after overcoming a hamstring injury that threatened to end his season when he broke down in the 2-1 win against City earlier this month.
“In the days after when we had the scan, it showed it wasn't too bad,” he said. “So it was just counting the days. The plan was always to get back this week and maybe get a few minutes before the final. But fortunately, I didn’t and it took more time than we expected.”
If Christensen is named in a back three it will complete a remarkable turnaround in his Chelsea career, with the 25-year-old’s future looked in doubt when spending much of the season on the fringes before Tuchel’s arrival.
With Chelsea still in the market for a top-class centre back this summer, he admits he is determined to convince Tuchel he is the long-term answer in the heart of defence.
“This season has probably been like my Chelsea career,” he said. “It’s been in and out. I started the first nine or 10 games with (Kurt) Zouma and then none of us were playing. It was strange, but that’s football for you. You kind of get used to it.
“I haven’t played the last three games because of injury and now we have the final. I have to go out and change their minds.
“People always say Chelsea have got a lot of money and if they need to spend it they will do it. That’s not just defenders that’s the whole team that has these issues.
“People being linked and players coming in and stuff. But there is nothing else you can do but try to prove they’ve got everything they need and that’s what we are trying to do.
“For me personally I just have to get my body right. Have to get used to all these games. If I do that, I know I can play at a high level and play for this team.”
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