Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he is not sure about Andreas Christensen‘s involvement in Chelsea’s Premier League game against Leicester City on Thursday night, admitting the Dane has previously pulled out of playing squads.
The Danish centre-back asked not to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup final, though his reasons for the move are unclear. He is set to move to Barcelona at the end of the season.
“I’m not sure yet if he’s involved tomorrow and on the weekend,” said Tuchel.
“Andreas came in the morning of the [FA Cup final] match to speak to me and tell me that he’s not ready to play the match, not to start or be on the bench.
“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.
“That’s why he did not play so regularly in the last times.
“We thought we were in a good progression and development, but the conversation took place, we had to respect it and we of course respected it.
“It was very short notice now before the cup final, and not only this match, other matches in the other weeks.
“There’s no chance I have any prediction for tomorrow or the weekend.”
Nothing personal
Tuchel conceded that he would not be taking the Christensen situation personally, adding that the 26-year-old is still a part of the Blues’ squad.
“We had to accept it and we will accept it,” said Tuchel in regards to Christensen‘s current situation.
“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 [United]. He is a key player.”
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