Chelsea
boss Thomas Tuchel has clarified Andreas Christensen was not able to play in
the FA Cup final as opposed to refusing to play.
Christensen was absent on Saturday as Chelsea lost 6-5 on penalties to
Liverpool at Wembley for the second time this season in successive domestic
cup finals.
Tuchel outlined how Christensen had communicated he would be unavailable for
selection on the day of the final but sought to clarify the defender had not
refused to play.
"Andreas came in the morning of the match to speak to me and tell me he was
not ready to play the match, start the match, or be on the bench," Tuchel
said ahead of Thursday's Premier League match against Leicester.
"He had his reasons; they stay private and confidential. But it was not the
first time, as you can see over the last weeks that we had some of the same
situations where he could not play so regularly.
"We thought that we were in a good progression and development because he
played very strong in the match before the final against Leeds, but a
conversation took place, we had to respect it, we of course respected it."
He continued: "I don't think that he did not want to play, he was not able
to. It's a big difference."
Tuchel insisted he will not take Christensen's situation personally, with
the 54-cap Denmark defender still a part of the Chelsea squad.
"We had to accept it and we will accept it," he added. "I try the best I can
not to take things personally, and I still believe Andreas wanted to play
these matches, I still believe he could in terms of potential and ability.
"And he struggled over the last weeks, as you can see, when he was not in
the squad or not playing although he was physically available. It was not
completely out of the blue sky.
"We thought we had prepared him the best way possible with a very impressive
game at Leeds. He is a key player."
Doubt remains, however, over the availability of Christensen for Chelsea's
final two games of the Premier League season, raising the prospect he may
have already played his last game for the club.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the
season and has been the subject of interest from Barcelona.
Asked if Christensen would feature against Leicester on Thursday or Watford
on the final day of the season, Tuchel replied: "I'm not sure if he's
involved tomorrow or at the weekend. He still has our support, but I'm not
sure for tomorrow."
Tuchel continued: "It's probably unlikely [he will feature at the weekend].
It was very short notice before the cup final, and not only before this
match but with others in the weeks before. There is no chance I have any
prediction what will be tomorrow or the weekend."
top