Tempers flare as Chelsea stars square up in training pitch row
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel during Saturday's Premier League heavy defeat to West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge. Photo: John Walton/Getty
Thomas Tuchel sent Antonio Rudiger in early from training yesterday after the defender was involved in a bust-up with Kepa Arrizabalaga less than 24 hours after the Chelsea head coach had warned his players not to lose their heads in the wake of the 5-2 defeat by West Bromwich Albion.
Tuchel saw his 14-game unbeaten run smashed at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and responded by reiterating the need for calm. But tempers boiled over, as Kepa and Rudiger were involved in a heated argument that resulted in a pushing match between the pair before Tuchel sent the German into the changing-rooms five minutes before the end of the session to calm down.
Sources claim the argument was sparked in a small-sided game, in which Rudiger went in late on Kepa, who reacted and the argument quickly escalated. Chelsea players pulled their team-mates apart and Tuchel reacted, deciding that Rudiger was not calming down quickly enough to take part in the final five minutes of training, so sent him in early to cool down with goalkeeper Kepa completing the session.
Rudiger is understood to have apologised to Kepa off his own back later on and Tuchel is understood to be happy that the incident is now closed.
Rudiger and Kepa were not the only players to fall-out after the West Brom defeat, as Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James are also said to have been involved in a frank exchange in the dressing-room after the game.
James was partly at fault for West Brom’s second goal in their 5-2 success, while the Chelsea defence as a whole suffered a nightmare afternoon.
But having been involved in an argument, James and Azpilicueta later spoke in private to settle their differences and there was no issue at training yesterday.
Rudiger and Kepa did not play in Chelsea’s capitulation, instead watched the game from the bench, but Rudiger is one of the most passionate members of the squad and is known to take defeats particularly badly.
Given he apologised to Kepa, it is not expected that Rudiger’s behaviour will be taken into account when Tuchel picks his team for Wednesday’s tie with Porto. But the row, together with Saturday’s result, is not ideal preparation for Chelsea’s biggest game of season.
Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
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