Chelsea goalkeeper Berger has FALLEN OUT with Hayes over a 'few problems'

Germany women manager Horst Hrubesch has suggested that Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has fallen out with manager Emma Hayes and has been training with the boys.

Berger has not played in the Women's Super League since December's 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, with Hayes saying recently she had suffered a concussion in training.

The goalkeeper, who has been named on the bench for Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final with Ajax this evening, was picked to be part of Germany's squad for upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers.

'Ann-Katrin Berger is an experienced player who has already proven what she can do over the years,' Hrubesch said.

'For me, she's the type of player who is incredibly good for the team. She's playing with the boys in England at the moment and - as far as I know - has a few problems with her coach there.

'But I also know what qualities she has. That's why it was important for me to have two experienced goalkeepers in this position and another young one from Frankfurt, which means we have a top line-up.'

Hayes was asked about Berger's availability after she missed the victory over Arsenal earlier this month.

'Concussion, really bad concussion,' Hayes said.

'She took in the training environment, she took a ball to the side of the head.

'Concussion protocol has meant she's got another extended period. She was available to play, the day before training she took a really really bad ball to the head.'

Berger is in a relationship with her Chelsea team-mate Jess Carter, who last month liked a number of posts on X criticising Hayes for labelling player to player relationships 'inappropriate' - before later admitting she had been wrong to do so.

Hayes said she had spoken to Carter, who played in Chelsea's 3-1 victory over Arsenal the following day, and that the issue had been resolved.

'Of course Jess and I have had a conversation today, as I have with other players within the team.

'They know exactly who I am and they know exactly what my intentions were. But I have to expect that I'm supposed to be the most well-trained, non-clickbait headline coach and I let myself down yesterday.

'I didn't think it was right for me to use the term inappropriate for the players. Nonetheless, when we have honest conversations about these things I don't take those things back but I have zero criticism of any player in my dressing room for anything.'