Christensen, Barça’s first signing for the 2022-23 season

Andreas Christensen will become the first signing for the 2022/23 season, AS has learned. Chelsea’s Danish centre-back, who arrives as a free agent, will sign a contract that binds him for the next five seasons with Barcelona. It is, without a doubt, a important reinforcement for Xavi Hernández, especially considering the possible departures of Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti this very summer.

At 25, Christensen has become one of the central defenders with the most future in European football. He stands out for his power in the air, as well as his ease and precision in getting the ball out, although some criticize his lack of intimidating ability in the game, despite his almost 190 centimeters in height.

In any case, the Danish international has been able to take his pulse at the Premiere: he has made 153 appearances for Chelsea in the five seasons he has been in England. Of course, he does not stand out precisely in the scoring aspect, since he has only scored two goals.

More free agents will come

The arrival of Christensen opens the doors to other signings that will arrive as free agents and without Barcelona having to put up a single transfer euro. Next up will be midfielder Franck Kessié (Milan), Moroccan winger Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax) and defender César Azpilicueta (Chelsea)although the latter has a unilateral renewal clause that the English club can execute and that the captain will have to personally negotiate so that it does not end up being executed.

Barcelona has also already closed the signing of the young racinguista talent, Pablo Torrealthough in his case it remains to be seen if he will end up playing in the subsidiary or not: in principle he will do the preseason with the first team and if he convinces Xavi he could have continuity throughout the season.