Chelsea's Christensen withdrew from FA Cup final and multiple other games amid Barcelona links, reveals Tuchel

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has revealed Andreas Christensen asked to be left out of the squad for the FA Cup final against Liverpool last week.

The Blues were beaten in the clash at Wembley as they drew 0-0 with the Reds and went on to lose on penalties.

Christensen was not involved and the German coach says he is not sure if he will be part of the team to face Leicester on Thursday or in the final game of the season against Watford on Sunday.

“Not sure yet if he is involved tomorrow and on the weekend. Well, Andreas came in the morning of the [FA Cup final] to inform me, speak to me," Tuchel told reporters.

"He told me he was not ready to play the match, to start the match and be on the bench. He had his reasons. They stay private and confidential.

"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 regularly over the last weeks.

"We thought we are in a good progression, development because he played a strong match before the final against Leeds. The conversation took place. We had to respect it. Of course. He has our support still but for tomorrow I am unsure."

Asked if the defender will play against Watford, Tuchel said: “Probably unlikely. It was very short notice before the cup final, not only before this match. Other matches the weeks before. No chance I have a prediction before tomorrow or the weekend."

Christensen, 26, has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks.

The Denmark international's contract at Chelsea expires this summer and GOAL reported in March that Barca are pushing to land him, though they could face competition from Bayern Munich.

Tuchel did not say that the transfer was related to the uncertainty about his