Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen shocked staff and teammates by asking not to play in the FA Cup Final, according to reports.
It is understood that the Dane was meant to start in the match, making the decision even more surprising.
Such a disappointing turn of events was a sign of things to come that day for Chelsea. The Blues suffered penalty heartbreak for the second time this season at Wembley, as Liverpool won the 150th edition of the tournament.
Chelsea (5) 0 – 0 (6) Liverpool
Liverpool started fastest out of the two sides, bombarding the Chelsea penalty area with pressure in the opening fifteen minutes. Man of the match, Luis Diaz, was a constant threat, finding space behind Trevor Chalobah at will.
However, the London side came back with opportunities of their own. Christian Pulisic dragged a shot wide, and Marcos Alonso forced Alisson into a smart save.
Both sides continued to create chances in an open second half. The woodwork denied the two teams, with Liverpool hitting the post twice. Similarly, Marcos Alonso’s free kick came inches from giving Chelsea the lead.
Following a cagey extra time, Liverpool and Chelsea lined up for their second penalty shootout of the season.
The Reds had an early advantage after Cesar Azpilicueta cannoned his spot-kick off the post. However, Edouard Mendy saved Sadio Mane’s penalty that could have won the cup. The excruciating pain of sudden death loomed.
Mason Mount, who had lost his previous five Wembley finals, suffered yet more heartbreak at the home of football. Alisson got a strong hand to his penalty – handing Liverpool the chance to win.
Up stepped Kostas Tsimikas, whose cool spot-kick broke the deadlock – giving the Reds their first FA Cup win for 16 years.
Read: Liverpool celebrate with Egyptian player diagnosed with MND after FA Cup win
The victory means that Liverpool still have a chance of completing a historic quadruple this season. In contrast, Chelsea face the prospect of rebuilding their defence, with several players on the way out of Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s departing defenders
A fundamental departure is centre-back Antonio Rudiger, who will join Real Madrid this summer. Spanish paper Marca report that the German has signed a four-year deal to move to the Spanish capital.
However, Real won’t make an official announcement until after the Champions League final at the end of May.
Similarly, club hero Cesar Azpilicueta may have played in his last cup final for Chelsea. The Spaniard, who has played for the Blues since 2012, is reportedly close to joining Barcelona.
Sanctions placed upon former owner Roman Abramovich and his club meant that contract negotiations were nigh-on impossible. Therefore, players such as Azpilicueta will leave for free upon the expiry of their deals.
The Spaniard is not the only player linked with a move to Camp Nou. Denmark’s Andreas Christensen is set to join Barca, with Thomas Tuchel confirming his departure from Chelsea on Monday.
Unfortunately, Christensen looks likely to leave the club on bad terms following the bizarre events before the FA Cup final.
Andreas Christensen rules himself out of FA Cup Final
According to reports, the Dane asked his manager to leave him out of the matchday squad on the day of the FA Cup final. Christensen wasn’t injured, but unwell during the week, state The Guardian.
The defender had started in Chelsea’s midweek victory over Leeds despite the sickness. Come Saturday, Christensen decided he was not well enough to play.
His departure from the team hotel just hours before the big match shocked and confused his teammates, as reported by the Daily Mirror. Christensen was a potential starter – so his decision to rule himself out surely messed with manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
His replacement, Trevoh Chalobah, played 105 minutes on Saturday, whilst 37-year-old Thiago Silva played the full 120. The Brazilian went down injured early on. However, he managed to continue for the entire game.
If this moment is fans’ last memory of Andreas Christensen at Chelsea, they may not remember him so fondly.
Featured image credit: Getty
