THOMAS Tuchel says he is “still happy” to be Chelsea’s head coach but admits he and the team “cannot influence” the situation after the club’s owner Roman Abramovich was hit by sanctions from the UK government.
The sanctions – which were handed down on Thursday morning – have resulted in Abramovich’s assets being frozen, plus “a prohibition on transactions with UK individuals and businesses, a travel ban and transport sanctions”.
The sanctions are intended to stop the 55-year-old from making any money in the UK – and this includes from Chelsea. Tuchel remained positive despite the news, telling BBC Radio 5 Live after Chelsea’s 3-1 win at Norwich on Thursday night: “As long as we have enough shirts and a bus to drive to the games we will be there and will compete hard.”
“I’m still happy to be here, still happy to be manager of a strong football team and I’m happy to play the match today. I know there’s a lot of noise around and still we allow ourselves to try our best to focus on football.”
Asked whether returning to Premier League action would be a relief for him and his players given the day’s events, Tuchel said: “Relief would mean we struggle with all the information and the news out there.
“It is quite a big change from yesterday to today, but we cannot influence it. We didn’t cause the situation. In the moment, it seems like business – football-wise – is more or less protected. But let’s see – it can change tomorrow.
“It’s not a relief, it’s more personally for me a joy. Even in situations where noise or circumstances are so obvious, I feel privileged to have the chance to be involved in games and coaching football, which I love.”
Speaking after Chelsea’s victory at Carrow Road – secured by goals from Trevoh Chalobah, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz – Tuchel said his side would continue to compete as long as they have “enough shirts and a bus to drive to games”.
The head coach told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Let’s see if it stays like this. If it does, I don’t know. We take it day by day. I didn’t see that coming yesterday and I don’t know what is coming tomorrow.
Everybody can be very sure that we focus on us, to keep the attitude and the mentality right on the training ground and within the team. So far we can trust each other and this will not change.
“As long as we have enough shirts and a bus to drive to the games we will be there and will compete hard.”
The government has granted Chelsea a special licence to allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches.
However, Chelsea cannot offer new contracts to players or staff, conduct any transfer business or sell new tickets to matches as things stand.
Abramovich announced earlier this month that he intends to sell the club, but the sanctions mean he is currently unable to do so.
However, an application to sell Chelsea can be made to the government, as long as the Russian-Israeli billionaire does not profit or make any money from the transaction.
Sky Sports
