MY ACCOUNT
Thomas Tuchel says he does not know what impact Roman Abramovich’s announcement that he will sell Chelsea will have on the club after his side overcame Luton Town 3-2 in the FA Cup.
Abramovich on Wednesday confirmed he will sell up after 19 years as owner of the European champions, saying the decision is “in the best interest of the club”.
The Russian stated that he will ask for any loans to be repaid and has instructed his team to set up a charitable foundation, where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. Abramovich revealed the foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine.
Tuchel’s side were later caught cold on the pitch at Kenilworth Road on a huge day for the Blues, as Reece Burke and Harry Cornick edged Championship Luton ahead either side of Saul Niguez’s equaliser.
However, Timo Werner’s second-half strike restored parity before Romelu Lukaku delivered the decisive strike.
But the focus after the game turned back to Abramovich’s announcement, and Tuchel stated that it would be impossible for him to know what will happen following what the club’s owner described as “an incredibly difficult decision” for him.
“Maybe I heard it a little bit earlier than you, but still it was close to kick-off,” Tuchel told the BBC when asked about the situation at the Premier League club.
“We heard the rumours throughout the day, of course, it is on television when we have team meetings and the guys are talking about it, everybody talks about it – it is big news.
“Let’s wait and see, hope for the best and see what the day brings. Every decision he takes for the club is the right decision, it’s his choice, it’s his club and it’s not on me to comment.”
When pushed for an answer on what the news could mean in the short term, Tuchel responded: “Even if I want to [tell you], I don’t exactly know.
“In the very short term, for us as a team, staff and players, hopefully it won’t mean too much and maybe change nothing but the situation is now out there, it’s a big situation.
“I can understand that there will be a lot of reports, but we try to cancel the noise, as we always do, and to stay focused, which is not always easy.
“We showed again that we can do it and we will try again on Saturday [against Burnley].”
A much-changed Chelsea were largely unconvincing against Nathan Jones’ Championship side but Tuchel was delighted with a performance that meant more in the circumstances.
Asked if the result was of greater significance with the ongoings off the field, Tuchel added: “Yeah I think so, we’re not living on an island – the guys have an internet connection, the TV is running and we see the news and the rumours.
“It is not normal to be so attached to something and play on the same day in a match where focus is absolutely key, to win is not so easy but it makes it a bigger performance and that is why I’m very happy.”
