MX23RW : Saturday, April 17 11:50:37| >> :120:13327:13327:

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:collect8498:

Click here for more stories about Thomas Tuchel

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
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
Todays Game Header Right
FA Cup
Premier League
Copa del Rey
Championship
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Primeira Liga
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Cup
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
NIFL Premiership
League of Ireland Premier
Welsh Premier League
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Major League Soccer
Copa Diego Maradona
Liga MX
AFC Champions League
Australian A-League
J1 League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32235467234474
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd31189461342763
3Leicester CityLeicester31175955371856
4West Ham UnitedWest Ham32168851391256
5Chelsea31159750311954
6Liverpool31157953371652
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs321481054371750
8Everton31147104340349
9Arsenal31136124335845
10Leeds UnitedLeeds31143144949045
11Aston Villa301351243331044
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves31108133141-1038
13Crystal Palace31108133352-1938
14Southampton31106153956-1736
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton31712123338-533
16Burnley3189142542-1733
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3289153251-1933
18Fulham32511162442-1826
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom3159172859-3124
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3142251755-3814

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!