Chelsea’s players were left ‘shocked’ after Andreas Christensen ruled himself out of the club’s FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.
Christensen is not understood to be carrying an injury but ruled himself out for selection ahead of the clash at Wembley, having felt ill in the days leading up to the game.
Chelsea were beaten on penalties by Liverpool after a goalless draw, becoming the first team in history to lose three consecutive FA Cup finals.
Despite feeling unwell, however, the Guardian are reporting that Christensen’s departure from the team hotel and decision to rule himself out of the game is said to have caused confusion among his Chelsea teammates.
The Denmark international is poised to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and join Barcelona on a free transfer, a decision which Thomas Tuchel believes has impacted Christensen’s form in recent months.
His situation has proven frustrating for Chelsea who twice reached verbal agreements over a contract extension with the centre-back, only for Christensen to change his mind on each occasion.
It is believed his handling of the situation has ‘not gone down well’ at Stamford Bridge, though there is no ill-feeling towards Antonio Rudiger despite his own decision to leave on a free transfer.
Rudiger’s openness with Chelsea and continued fine form means there is no ‘bitterness’ from the Blues over his decision to leave for Real Madrid at the end of the campaign.
Chelsea are set to target defensive additions this summer and are understood to be considering approaches for Leicester’s Wesley Fofana, Sevilla’s Jules Koundé, Atlético Madrid’s José María Giménez and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
