Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen pulled himself out of contention for Saturday's agonising FA Cup final defeat against Liverpool just hours before kick-off.
The Denmark international - who will join Barcelona at the end of the season - was not injured but told head coach Thomas Tuchel on the morning of the game he did not want to be considered for the Wembley showdown because he did not feel ready to play.
It is likely that Christensen would have started the game ahead of Trevoh Chalobah if he was available for selection and his decision to withdraw from the squad to face Jurgen Klopp's side arrived as a major blow to Chelsea's plans.
His unexpected withdrawal and departure from the team hotel on Saturday morning is understood to have left his team-mates perplexed and shocked.
Christensen played the entire 90 minutes of last Wednesday's 3-0 win over Leeds.
Last month, Christensen pulled himself out of the starting XI in the moments leading up to the 1-0 win over West Ham after suffering stomach cramps ahead of kick-off.
In the 4-2 loss to Arsenal, also last month, the centre-back asked to be taken off at half-time - Tuchel confirming Christensen had made the request after the game.
Similarly, former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said of the Dane in 2019: 'You know very well that Christensen on matchdays always has stomach ache.
'I don't know the reason but he is always very nervous. I don't know what to say.'
Christensen has agreed a five year deal to join Barcelona on a free transfer ahead of next season after rejecting Chelsea's attempts to renegotiate an extension.
And following the loss to Liverpool, Tuchel admitted for the first time that Christensen is leaving at the end of the season.
'We are losing Toni [Rudiger], we're losing Andreas,' confirmed Tuchel.
In contrast, Thiago Silva finished the entire 120 minutes against the Merseysiders on Saturday despite requiring lengthy treatment inside the opening 15 minutes.
After the game the Brazilian defender was seen limping away from Wembley and could be a doubt for Chelsea's remaining Premier League matches.
Timo Werner was named on the bench on Saturday but couldn't come on after sustaining a hamstring injury during the warm-up, while Kai Havertz missed the game entirely due to his own hamstring problem.
Andreflo
0
Bro calm na He won’t flop in Barcelona ooooo
Let waiting n see
Mikeoye31
0
If Christensen getting paid at Chelsea, then his reason is unacceptable and not professional unless TT didn't select him for the game.
😂😂😂😂 some players he no concern them about that one
Mikeoye31
0
He will flop guy, he will be the next umtiti
Na injury cause am
Daniel_official
0
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
Shut up
Solthyo
0
Trolling the wrong person kid, i don't have a Chelsea badge for you to write rubbish. I know you have the urge to troll but it was just the truth i wrote and you don't know football because Chelsea didn't lose the game they played for 120minutes but it was decided by penalties so they didn't miss Christensen because Chalobah did his job#0-0 draw.
You don't need to explain to a visitor. They don't even know how to create an account
bamadkopry
0
didn't Essien played with makalele?
he did played with him and when makelele left essien came to fill his role . that's what I mean bro
Dicole
1
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
Klopp has brain and he has to wait for 4 years before delivering a trophy. Keep saying rubbish
jakbtuyz
2
Christensen has been useless in Chelsea shirt, please leave our team, we shall get the best one than you
yuweilprst
2
ur going to flop in barcelona
Peuilnrstz
1
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
Keep talking nonsense. How much has he spent in Chelsea compared to Klopp and pep
Codknopuy
1
he really shows the act of unprofessionalism
official_uto
0
Bro calm na He won’t flop in Barcelona ooooo
He will flop guy, he will be the next umtiti
official_uto
0
An opportunity that many young and super stars had always prayed to get at a standard club like Chelsea... what could be the reason behind the request to be withdrawn from squad in match days???
Barca, probably told him to decline because of injuries
ChelseaFC_Addict
1
I never liked him anyway
kopigao
0
If Christensen is getting wages at Chelsea, then his reason is unacceptable and not professional unless TT didn't select him for the game.
kopigao
0
He is planning his leave to Xavi
If Christensen getting paid at Chelsea, then his reason is unacceptable and not professional unless TT didn't select him for the game.
Joetopasky
3
Chalobah & Thiago did a perfect job. Its obvious the team lacks depth and luck.
zokkmorst
2
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
Tuchel didn't buy any player mumu
vuobdln
4
He has lost interest in Chelsea for quite some time. It is better for him and the team that he leaves. He is not a world class defender anyway.
OneLove⚽️
0
you lost so you missed him
[image]
Trolling the wrong person kid, i don't have a Chelsea badge for you to write rubbish. I know you have the urge to troll but it was just the truth i wrote and you don't know football because Chelsea didn't lose the game they played for 120minutes but it was decided by penalties so they didn't miss Christensen because Chalobah did his job#0-0 draw.
betekotz
3
Christensen can pack his luggage and go. Ungrateful being. All the best.
JuBrown
0
Rudiger is a professional player and don't run away from matches like Christiansen
Nigga what?😂😭 I swear u bugging 💀
Mariosuarez2
1
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
Apart from arnold which other academy player is in the starting 11 Some of u are brain dead D only reason Liverpool wins trophy than Norwich is because they sign more player with more money than Norwich
takdlmnrsy
0
Chelsea didn't miss him so what's the point#Chalobah was great.
you lost so you missed him
takdlmnrsy
0
Christensen saw that the sea was going to get swallowed up by Liverocean and went back on the beach.
takdlmnrsy
0
when makelele left Chelsea.. everybody thought we ain't gonna get any like him .. essien . ramirez and kante came .. If christensen is leaving and doesn't want to play anymore.. we wish him well.. but he should not forget "you don't bite the hand that feeds you "
didn't Essien played with makalele?
Slime_tune
0
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
What are you saying?
Mouabeiz
0
To Tuchel you have the money but no brain. klopp has Brain but not much money. same is to pep no Brian but has lot of money to burn.
retbcimsz
0
Rudiger too?
Rudiger is a professional player and don't run away from matches like Christiansen
Mikeoye31
0
That is exactly how lazy player like Christensen do, fighters like Thiago Silva wants to play every game.
He is planning his leave to Xavi
Mikeoye31
0
infact God will punishing this guy he will flop at Barcelona
Bro calm na He won’t flop in Barcelona ooooo
OneLove⚽️
2
Chelsea didn't miss him so what's the point#Chalobah was great.
JuBrown
0
Christensen should not play any game in Chelsea shirt again because he's a betrayal to the team.
Rudiger too?
ossydeboss
2
An opportunity that many young and super stars had always prayed to get at a standard club like Chelsea... what could be the reason behind the request to be withdrawn from squad in match days???
jonas255
2
once a snake always a snake
bamadkopry
1
when makelele left Chelsea.. everybody thought we ain't gonna get any like him .. essien . ramirez and kante came .. If christensen is leaving and doesn't want to play anymore.. we wish him well.. but he should not forget "you don't bite the hand that feeds you "
NicoWeekes
1
Where was King Kai?
Injured
Humancal44
0
Where was King Kai?
pebbknpst
6
Christensen should not play any game in Chelsea shirt again because he's a betrayal to the team.
Andreflo
4
infact God will punishing this guy he will flop at Barcelona
ClemJay
0
He is getting ready for a new change in his career. Barca will surely enjoy u
Jeucdmsy
2
That is exactly how lazy player like Christensen do, fighters like Thiago Silva wants to play every game.