Arsene Wenger's former player blames Tuchel for touchline feud with Conte

Former Super Eagles striker and 1997 African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba believes Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was at fault for the flashpoint at the end of the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

The London derby produced four goals in a 2-2 thriller and was the first meeting of the 'traditional top six' sides in the Premier League this season.

There was angst in the Chelsea camp as Cristian Romero pulled the hair of Marc Cucurella in the course of the game while Harry Kane scored a controversial late equaliser.

"Everytime? Tuchel is at fault, let's move on (for the flashpoint between him and Spurs' Antonio Conte) " Ikpeba said on SuperSport's Monday Night Football, monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, in reference to making an eye contact whilst exchanging pleasantries.

"There is no rule on looking into the eye of the person you are having a handshake with. Managers can even walk into the dressing room without the handshakes.

"What happened in the game was because of tension. It happened with Sir Alex Ferguson and the great professor, Arsene Wenger and also between Jose Mourinho and Wenger.

Ikpeba who played under the management of Frenchmam Arsene Wenger at AS Monaco further added :" Some of the managers also don't like the way Conte celebrates sometimes."

The teams will face off in the reverse tie of this fixture on 25 February 2023 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : telemundodeportes.com

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