‘He really is an example’ – Tuchel singles out Chelsea star’s sportsmanshhip

The Spaniard has made just five appearances for the Blues this season with his only start in the Premier League being the 3-0 win over rivals Tottenham in September.

Arrizabalaga was handed his first Champions League start this term in the 3-3 draw with Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday with Mendy rested.

Despite losing his place as the club’s No.1 under Tuchel, the German is still pleased with the way his shot-stopper conducts himself.

‘He is always pushing that’s the good thing,’ said the Chelsea boss.

‘He really is an example of sportsmanship, I have nothing but praise for him.

‘He did everything that he is able to do to produce a performance like this, everyday he is in unbelievable spirit.

‘If nothing crazy happens tonight at the hotel the Edouard Mendy starts tomorrow nothing has changed at the moment from there.’

Chelsea go into Saturday’s clash against Leeds third in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Manchester City.

The Blues have won three out of the last seven games in all competitions but Tuchel isn’t too concerned about their form just yet.

‘If you have the lead four times in two matches and you escape with one point and six goals conceded it’s not the moment to look away and pretend that nothing is happening,’ he said.

‘It’s still a matter of details and small things and not to worry about the big picture.

‘From here we go but you can still also find a lot of arguments why it’s like this and in the end we are not happy. The performances are not horrible, there are in some moments average and average looks horrible when you play and work for Chelsea.

‘It’s good that it’s like this because we try to compete on the highest level.

‘The last two games were very unusual for us. We were also unlucky in these moments like the last two goals we conceded were not perhaps ones you would usually concede.

‘It is back to basics and basics on the highest level. We are in this together. We are aware of it, it is not the moment to worry too much but also to not look away.’

MORE : Glen Johnson tells Saul Niguez to quit Chelsea and return to Atletico Madrid

MORE : ‘We are worried’ – Thomas Tuchel provides N’Golo Kante update with four stars out of Leeds match

For more stories like this, check our sport page.