Tuchel ‘still happy’ at Chelsea despite ‘noise’ of Abramovich
Thomas Tuchel insists he is happy to remain the Chelsea manager but admits the “situation will not go away” after owner Roman Abramovich was hit with asset-freezing sanctions by the UK Government.
Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich put the Blues up for sale on March 2 in the wake of Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
READ MORE: Chelsea count cost as government turns screw on Abramovich
On Thursday morning the UK government sanctioned the Chelsea owner amid ties to Vladimir Putin, something Abramovich has always strongly denied, to put any sale of the club in doubt, but a change of ownership could still occur.
The Treasury would have to approve a new licence for the sale, on the proviso no profit would go to Abramovich, and the uncertainty is bound to create anxiety at Stamford Bridge.
On the pitch, however, the men’s team secured a 3-1 win at Norwich, while the women’s side beat West Ham 4-1 on Thursday night.
“The situation will not go away, maybe tomorrow it will change again, but it will not go away,” Tuchel said.
“I am still happy to be here and still happy to be manager of a strong team. I know there is a lot of noise around.
“I don’t have another answer for you. Relief would mean we struggle with all the information and news out there. It is a big change from yesterday to today. At the moment it seems on the football side it is almost protected.
“I feel privileged to have the chance to be involved in games, coaching and football that I love.”
Since Abramovich’s original announcement last week regarding the club he has owned since 2003 being put up for sale, a host of parties have signalled their interest in the Champions League winners and this latest development will not prevent a change of ownership.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said: “We are now talking to Chelsea Football Club and those conversations will continue. It would be part of those discussions the terms of any specific licence that’s granted to allow any sale to proceed.
“The important thing is under no circumstances would any sale allow Roman Abramovich to profit from that or take any money from that sale.
“It’s fair to say the Government is open to the sale of the club but currently it would require another licence and that would require further conversation with the Treasury and other departments.”
Chelsea are set to now be subject to a transfer ban and will be blocked from negotiating new contracts with current players, after all of Abramovich’s UK assets were frozen.
Defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are all out of contract this summer which leaves the senior trio in a state of short-term limbo.
Women’s boss Emma Hayes admitted it is a similar scenario for her Women’s Super League side, telling Sky Sports: “There’s no denying it’s a difficult day, but I think it’s important that we give it time.
“The club’s put a statement out. I understand the club is working with the Government to dissect the interpretation of that, so I think for all the questions everybody has, players, fans, staff, we have to give the club time to work through that.”
