SM
Saturday, January 4
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Thomas Tuchel plays down Kepa-Rudiger training ground bust-up

:Headline: Thomas Tuchel plays down Kepa-Rudiger training ground bust-up:
Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga were involved in a training-ground spat but Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel insists the matter is finished.
Sports Mole

Thomas Tuchel has hailed Antonio Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga for showing "courage" to make amends after their training-ground bust-up.

Chelsea boss Tuchel confirmed that Germany defender Rudiger and Spain goalkeeper Kepa clashed in training – but insisted that the players have solved the spat and the matter is finished.

The Blues were thumped 5-2 by West Brom on Saturday, paying a hefty price for Thiago Silva's red card and eventually slipping out of the Premier League's top four.

They now face Porto in Seville in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Tuchel adamant the Cobham training-ground incident is completely finished.

Thomas Tuchel, pictured, insists Chelsea team-mates Toni Rudiger and Kepa Arrizabalaga have smoothed over their training-ground spat (Michael Steele/PA)

"It was nothing to do with the defeat, it was just an incident in training; it got heated up between Toni and Kepa," said Tuchel.

"So we calmed the situation down immediately. I don't want to play it down with anything artificial, these are things we don't want to accept; it was unusual but they can happen.

"They are all competitors and want to win training matches. We needed to interfere in the situation, so that was serious.

"But the way the guys handled the situation, that was impressive and showed a lot of courage.

Thomas Tuchel, right, is happy with the reaction of Toni Rudiger, left, after the Germany defender clashed with team-mate Kepa in training (Neil Hall/PA)

"The reaction was not okay, but the reaction to it, how the guys handled the situation, especially Toni and Kepa, was amazing and showed how much respect they have for each other.

"They cleared the air immediately. This was the most important so there was nothing left the day after. We spoke about the issue and then it was solved.

"This was the main part. They sorted it out straight after training in a very honest, humble and very direct way. That showed me they have very good character.

"Toni sorted it out directly, and it was a strong and brave thing to do. So I am happy with the way they dealt with it."

Chelsea will have Christian Pulisic and N'Golo Kante fit after hamstring issues for Wednesday's first-leg last-eight clash with Porto.

Christian Pulisic, pictured, will be fit for Chelsea's Champions League clash with Porto (John Walton/PA)

Tuchel confirmed Tammy Abraham will also be in the squad, though Kante is unlikely to start after his latest muscle complaint.

"Christian, N'Golo and Tammy, all three will be in the squad, they are fit enough to be in the squad and that's good news," said Tuchel.

"Christian went out before any serious injury could happen on Saturday.

"Tammy is in the squad, and N'Golo just did his last test and will be on the bench. He feels very comfortable; comfortable enough to be on the bench."

body check tags ::

amp_article__442077 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-06 13:29:37:
html db last update - 2021-04-06 13:29:37 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Thomas Tuchel

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
MU
Read Next:
Tuesday's paper talk: David de Gea, Martin Odegaard, Romelu Lukaku
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Thomas Tuchel Kepa Arrizabalaga Antonio Rudiger Ngolo Kante Christian Pulisic Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Tuesday's paper talk: David de Gea, Martin Odegaard, Romelu Lukaku
Haaland hits brace and Savinho shines as Man City put West Ham to the sword
Brutal Brentford: Five-star Bees sting Southampton in first away win of the season
Chelsea's N'Golo Kante receives Saudi Arabia offer?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham197842825329
10Brentford208393835327
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Team News: Liverpool vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

1

TN

Haaland hits brace and Savinho shines as Man City put West Ham to the sword

2

HH

January transfer window: Latest news and rumours including Reis to Brighton

NEW

3

JT

Is he the One? Liverpool 'compile dossier' on possible Nunez replacement

NEW

4

IH

Arsenal targeting Bayern star as Saka replacement

5

AT

Preview: Deportiva Minera vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PD

Saturday's Serie A predictions including Fiorentina vs. Napoli

7

SS

Conte ready to hand out-of-favour Chelsea man Napoli escape route?

8

CR

Team News: Fulham vs. Ipswich injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

9

TN

What's the latest on the future of Man United, Arsenal-linked Cunha?

10

WT


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .