Andreas Christensen wants Chelsea future but warns Antonio Conte about first-team role

Andreas Christensen is keen to build a career at Chelsea after his loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach but is not prepared to return to play a bit-part role.

Christensen, 20, left Stamford Bridge to join the Bundesliga side on a two-year loan deal last summer. The Dane excelled in Germany last season, swiftly nailing down a first-team role with Monchengladbach and winning the club's player of the season award.

The club are keen to make his stay a permanent one – even if it costs them a record transfer fee – but Chelsea have reportedly turned down their offer.

Speaking to Goal, the centre-half insisted returning to west London remains his priority, but has warned Antonio Conte he will need assurances he will not be left on the substitute's bench.

"The main thing is to play. That's the main thing that I want for my future. It is all about playing football and that's it. [Playing for Chelsea] is an ambition of mine, to play over there in the first team, but right now I am not thinking about the future.

"I am not thinking about Chelsea and what they are doing and what I am doing. I am focusing on what Borussia is doing. I am just really looking forward to playing games and hopefully qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League."

While Christensen is set to spend another season in Germany, Chelsea find themselves in need of cover at centre-half this summer. Thirty-five-year-old John Terry and Gary Cahill are the club's only senior options ready to start the season, with Kurt Zouma still recuperating from a severe knee injury.

Speculation over Terry's long-term future at the club last season prompted suggestions Chelsea would attempt to recall Christensen from his loan earlier than planned, but Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl insisted that was not an option.