Chelsea’s final preparations for the UEFA Europa League final were rocked by an apparent feud between defender David Luiz and striker Gonzalo Higuaín.
During a match simulation drill, Luiz threw a seemingly deliberate elbow towards the Argentine, making contact with his face.
A visibly frustrated Higuaín attempted to calm things down with his Brazilian teammate, but Luiz was having none of it.
Higuaín was not the only frustrated one, as Blues manager Maurizio Sarri stormed down the tunnel of Baku Olympic Stadium, throwing his cap on the ground in anger.
A Chelsea spokesman has denied Sarri exited training due to the incident, saying it was in fact due to the inability to practice set pieces.
“Maurizio’s frustration displayed at the end of training was not related to any of his players but was due to not being able to practise set-plays in the final 15 minutes of the hour-long training session as it remained open to media.”
Blues fans will be hoping the incidents do not have a negative impact on the team during tomorrow’s final as they aim to win their second Europa League crown this decade.
If the squad are affected, however, it could be a sour end to Sarri’s tenure at Chelsea, with the Italian reportedly favourite to take over Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus.
