MY ACCOUNT
Thomas Tuchel has questioned the priorities of the United Kingdom government after Chelsea supporters were criticised for chanting the name of owner Roman Abramovich.
Some Chelsea fans continued to express their backing for Abramovich during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United after he was sanctioned by the UK’s government last week.
Abramovich had his assets frozen in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading to uncertainty over Chelsea’s future.
The Russian billionaire can still apply for a licence that would allow him to sell the club, though he cannot receive any proceeds from a sale in such circumstances.
With Chelsea fans continuing to chant in support of Abramovich, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s called for them to stop.
“We recognise the strength of feeling around people’s clubs but that does not excuse behaviour which is completely inappropriate at this time,” the spokesperson said.
“I think people can show passion and support for their club without resorting to that sort of stuff.”
When those comments were put to Tuchel ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Lille, however, he urged those in power to focus on more pressing matters.
“I don’t know if in these times this is the most important subject to be discussed in parliament,” Tuchel said in a news conference.
“If fans chants need to be discussed in parliament, maybe we need to worry about the priorities of discussions there, but okay.
“There’s no need to comment from me. We have far more urgent things to discuss and handle.”
Off-the-field talk again dominated Tuchel’s media conference, though the former Paris Saint-Germain boss reiterated it is business as usual on the field.
Chelsea make the trip to Lille for the second leg of their last-16 tie boasting a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic three weeks ago.
“There is not more uncertainty. It’s the same situation like in the last days. There are no updates,” he said.
“Before we discuss a new owner, a new owner needs to arrive, be approved and be allowed to own a football club. Then we can discuss it if it’s necessary.
“I did not have a choice to take this role [as spokesperson]. Do I need it? No. Listen, it’s more or less day by day.
“We talk inside and of course we have people who are in charge of different roles and different responsibilities but to the outside it is more or less me who talks.
“I don’t think too much about it. I try to be honest, give you an insight, provide you information from a coach’s heart. Maybe this is what I try and you can rely on.
“I am more than happy if things calm down and we can speak about football.”
Tuchel will not let speculation regarding the ownership situation distract his side, though he admitted last week’s sanctions – including a cap on spending – have had an impact.
Chelsea already booked flights to France before restrictions were put in place, but they may be forced to drive to Middlesbrough for Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
“There are restrictions, which we have to deal with it,” he said. “There are adjustments in our amount of staff who is travelling, how many rooms we have in hotels, how we arrive.
“That will come soon. To my understanding everything is in place now we can arrive on a professional level. It is not about luxury, it is not about bling bling.
“It is a professional level of sports where we play having only two days between matches while our opponents have four days. To arrive and decrease the possibility of injuries.
“For that, it is better to arrive with a plane than to sit in a bus. We try to be as professional as possible in the frame that we can do it.
“To my understanding, we have a framework to go to Lille and play the game in Lille where there will be absolutely no excuses regarding this.
“It is like already a bit more difficult to arrange things in the best way possible in the FA Cup.
“As long as we have shirts, as long as we are ‘alive’, as long as we are a team and arrive with our players we will be competitive and fight hard for our success.
“We owe it to the people that support us in very invisible way. We are in the spotlight. It is our responsibility to do so and we will.”
