Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger DISMISSED from Easter Sunday training by Thomas Tuchel after a BUST-UP with Kepa Arrizabalaga following shock 5-2 defeat by West Brom
- News comes just a day after Thomas Tuchel warned layers not to lose their heads
- Blues were thrashed by West Bromwich Albion after Thiago Silva’s red card
- Rudiger and Arrizabalaga were embroiled in a shoving match after a late tackle
- It is understood the German centre back has since apologised for his behaviour
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel dramatically dismissed defender Antonio Rudiger from training after a bust-up with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga the day after their 5-2 humbling against West Bromwich Albion.
Sam Allardyce’s relegation-threatened side ran riot against the Blues on Saturday after Thiago Silva’s early red card, to end Tuchel’s 14-match unbeaten run and leave his side fourth in the table but just two points ahead of Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham.
After the match, the German urged his players to respond in a calm way, while Kurt Zouma also encouraged his team-mates to react strongly to the disappointing loss.
Rudiger saw red in Easter Sunday training and was sent back inside to calm down after pushing and shoving between the pair.
Antonio Rudiger (L) was dismissed from training after clashing with Kepa Arrizabalaga (R)
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel sent Rudiger inside to cool off, while Kepa finished training
After the match, Tuchel had said: ‘We cannot lose our heads now and take away the trust we have in these players. It was the moment after the game to be honest, be calm and to tell everybody to breathe.
‘This will be a hard evening for everybody. We had completely different plans how to start this match day so we have to accept it now, it’s our first loss together. It’s important to find a way to deal with it together.’
Sources have claimed the disagreement was sparked by a late tackle by Rudiger on the Spaniard, who reacted strongly before things escalated into a physical confrontation.
Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Tuchel swiftly decided his compatriot Rudiger had not calmed down enough to finish training, so he cooled off indoors while Kepa continued the last five minutes of the session at Cobham.
It is understood the 40-cap Germany international later apologised unprompted, with Tuchel now happy the matter is closed and not expecting any lasting fallout between the two.
It was reported in January that Rudiger (left) clashed with Cesar Azpilicueta (right) in training
Sportsmail revealed in January that Rudiger – along with Marcos Alonso and Jorginho – was accused of ‘causing issues’ in training with in-fighting before Frank Lampard was sacked, and ‘clashed with Cesar Azpilicueta on numerous occasions.’
However, Rudiger emphatically denied this and rumours he was somehow involved with Lampard’s departure, of which Chelsea fans accused him after the Blues legend was relieved of his duties.
He told The Athletic in February: ‘There has never been any problem with Azpi. He’s my captain and I’m very thankful that he and also Tammy reacted that quickly after they’d heard the rumours on social media.
‘It looked like people from outside wanted to bother our unity in the squad. Hopefully, this negativity will go away again very soon.’
Blues skipper Azpilicueta and defender Reece James are also believed to have exchanged strong words in the Stamford Bridge dressing room straight after the match, with James partially responsible for West Brom’s second goal.
Despite that, the pair spoke in private after that and resolved their differences.
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