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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.
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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."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
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