MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 08:31:54| >> :60:879:879:

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

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

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 File Photo
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.

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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.

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
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."

ID:442077:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7805:

Click here for more stories about Thomas Tuchel

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's David de Gea pictured on February 21, 2021
Read Next:
Tuesday's paper talk: David de Gea, Martin Odegaard, Romelu Lukaku
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!