Blues boss unsure of defender’s situation

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he does not know whether Andreas Christensen has already played his last match for Chelsea.

Christensen withdrew himself from selection for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Liverpool on the morning of the Wembley clash.

The 26-year-old is understood to be poised to join Barcelona this summer on a free transfer after a decade in west London.

Blues boss Tuchel does not know yet whether Christensen will be available for the last two matches of the season, against Leicester tonight and Watford on Sunday.

Tuchel explained Christensen felt unable to play the FA Cup final despite no injury, intimating a note of caution on how the Denmark international’s situation will be viewed.

“I’m not sure yet if he’s involved tomorrow and on the weekend,” said Tuchel.

“Andreas came in the morning of the match to speak to me and tell me 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.”

Tuchel insisted he will not take Christensen’s situation personally, with the defender still a part of the Chelsea squad.

“We had to accept it and we will accept it,” said Tuchel.

“I try the best I can not to take things personally, and I still believe Andreas wanted to play these matches. He is a key player.”