Barcelona turn to Andreas Christensen as Hansi Flick finds a fresh defensive option

Hansi Flick has given Andreas Christensen a prominent role in Barcelona’s pre-season preparations, offering the Denmark defender a chance to re-establish himself after two injury-disrupted seasons.

The 30-year-old has started every friendly played by Barcelona before the new campaign, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. Those matches included fixtures in Europe and games against Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Udinese.

Flick’s decision appears designed to test whether Christensen can cope with the demands of playing regularly across a succession of matches. Maintaining that level of fitness has been the defender’s biggest challenge in recent years, with repeated injuries limiting his availability and preventing him from building sustained momentum.

The confidence shown in Christensen represents a significant vote of support for a player entering his fifth season with the Catalan club. Barcelona’s coaching staff want to establish whether he is physically ready to produce a consistent run of performances after a prolonged period of uncertainty over his fitness.

Christensen has also been handed the captain’s armband for most of the warm-up matches. The exception was the meeting with Nottingham Forest, when Raphinha wore it instead. The gesture underlined the status Christensen retains within the squad, despite his extended absence from competitive football.

Barcelona recently renewed the defender’s contract until 2028, and the club’s sporting department continues to regard him as an important figure both on and off the pitch. He has not played or performed as regularly as hoped during the past two years, but his rehabilitation has become a major priority for Flick’s staff.

Christensen’s versatility could also make him a valuable tactical option during a crowded season. He can operate at centre-back alongside Pau Cubarsi, who produced an exceptional display at the most recent World Cup and has established himself as the undisputed first choice in that position.

The Denmark international can also move into the left-back role or step forward into midfield. His ability to help build attacks from deep gives Flick further flexibility when selecting his team and managing the demands of a congested fixture list.

Much of the responsibility for ensuring Christensen remains available will fall to Barcelona’s new fitness coach, Benjamin Kugel. He must create a detailed rehabilitation and conditioning programme aimed at helping the defender return to the level he showed during his best years with Chelsea and Barcelona.

Christensen’s physical form during pre-season has provided encouragement and raised the possibility of a particularly strong campaign. However, his progress will ultimately depend less on his technical ability, which Flick greatly values, and more on whether he can escape the cycle of injuries that has interrupted his career at the club.

The return of Barcelona’s international players to training should provide a clearer indication of the role Flick has planned for the tactically intelligent defender. His place in the team and his long-term importance will become easier to assess once the full squad is available.

If Christensen can maintain his fitness, he could provide Barcelona with a major boost in defence. He may even become the club’s “new signing” a player who costs nothing in the transfer market, but whose return depends on trust, patience and a successful recovery.