Thomas Tuchel is said to have instructed Rudiger to leave the session early after he failed to calm down
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was reportedly sent away from training early on Sunday following a bust-up with Kepa Arrizabalaga.
As reported by The Telegraph, a heated argument broke out between the two after Rudiger went in late on the goalkeeper during a small-sided game. Things escalated to the point where the pair exchanged shoves before teammates intervened to defuse the situation.
Thomas Tuchel appealed for calm but decided Rudiger had not calmed down quickly enough to continue with the remaining five minutes of the session and so sent him away. The defender is said to have apologised for his actions later on.
The same report claims captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James were also involved in a frank exchange of words in the immediate aftermath of the club’s shock 5-2 capitulation at the hands of relegation-threatened West Brom on Saturday afternoon. The pair are said to have spoken to each other privately later on to close the matter.
While Rudiger and Kepa played no part in the humbling by West Brom, their argument is far from ideal preparation for the club’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Porto on Wednesday.
The loss to West Brom brings to an end Tuchel’s unbeaten start as manager and damages their hopes of finishing the season in the top four.
Liverpool’s win over Arsenal later on Saturday saw them close to within a point. Tottenham would have leapfrogged them into fourth had Newcastle not scored a late equaliser on Sunday.
A win for West Ham against Wolves on Monday will see them drop out of the Champions League places.
