Nerves creeping in at Chelsea as Kepa clashes with Rudiger

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger nearly started a fight during a practice and had to be told off by manager Thomas Tuchel. The disagreement was sparked by a late tackle by Rudiger on the Spanish goalkeeper, who reacted strongly before things escalated into a physical confrontation.

There was a bit of pushing and shoving but thankfully it all ended on a peaceful note. The German defender is understood to have later apologised to Kepa and Tuchel and the club considers the matter now closed.

It’s not easy for the Blues to get over the humiliating home defeat to West Bromwich Albion that they suffered in the Premier League on Saturday. They conceded five goals against the second-bottom team of the league and spoiled the mood in the camp ahead of their big Champions League quarter-final clash against Porto on Wednesday.

Kissed and made up: Kepa and Antonio (©AFP)

Rudiger and Kepa didn’t feature against the Baggies but they might be called upon when Chelsea meet the Dragons at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

Tuchel, whose 14-match unbeaten run as Blues boss came to an end, insisted that everyone has to keep their head and focus on starting a new winning streak.

"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 comes after Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta were also involved in a heated exchange after the final whistle of the WBA trouncing. It’s now up to Chelsea players how much they care about the team’s fortunes by performing well in the huge Porto double-header.