Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits the players are upset by Toni Rudiger's decision to leave.

Rudiger has decided to leave Chelsea when his contract expires in June.

Tuchel said, "I don't think that anybody likes it because Toni has been a huge factor in our one and half seasons together. He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room, he is a unique character, he is an aggressive leader, he is available over 100% of the matches, like 90% of the matches he is simply available, and he plays on an outstanding level and gives you confidence if you play next to him or around him.

"He takes the focus away from others. He takes responsibility. He loves responsibility. I don't think that anybody likes this decision, but in the moment, we have to accept it, and we will accept it. Like it or not, there will be life at Chelsea after Toni. For him and for us, it is the most important thing that it ends like it started and like it was for one and half years, on the highest level possible. This is where the focus needs to be."

Significantly, he added, "It was a pleasure every day with Toni, and I am a bit concerned we talked too much in the past about it. There are still things we have not reached all of our goals this season. There are big things to achieve, and he is still a big part of this club. We still demand 100% from him. This is where the focus is then from pre-season, next season, life will go in whether we like it or not. From pre-season next season, we will give our very best, and I will be fully involved with all my heart and all of my knowledge."