Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea still aiming for success despite sanction disruption

Amid the chaos and confusion surrounding the future of Chelsea Football Club, it is clear that Thomas Tuchel and his players still have one thing set in their sights, winning games.

It has been a far from quiet few weeks for the west London side amid the news that the club would be put up for sale by current owner Roman Abramovich.

However as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it was announced the morning of their match away at Norwich City that the billionaire was to be sanctioned by the UK Government and his assets would be frozen, therefore impacting Chelsea. The club are now under a special license that will allow them to continue footballing activities, meaning they are still able to compete in fixtures as well as ensuring their players and staff are paid.

Despite the noise off the pitch the Blues were able to overcome the Canaries at Carrow Road on Thursday evening, with the World and European Champions keen to ensure it remains business as usual on the pitch.

Goals from Trevoh Chalobah, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz ensured that they have now won eight of their last nine games in all competitions since they returned from the winter break. It was far from an emphatic performance against the side bottom of the Premier League but considering the recent circumstances, it was a much needed victory.

When speaking ahead of their upcoming fixture against Newcastle United on Sunday after the fixture in East Anglia, Tuchel agreed that winning games is a good way for the players to insulate themselves from the current uncertainty.

“It’s always the best way to carry on winning. Also for us, it’s maybe in the moment a bit more difficult because of the noise. There will be some players who will feel uncertainty, some will maybe be a bit frightened, some will be concerned. It’s normal. It’s also not only about the players, we have a lot of people on the staff at the club who are maybe also worried and scared and uncertain.

“That’s why it’s very important that we keep the trust and the belief in the training centre and in all of us. We are the guys to take care about the sport because we did not cause the situation, we cannot solve the situation. It can, I think, also give us the freedom in the end to still enjoy what we are doing and still follow the responsibility to give everything.

“I’m happy that we can still produce results and performances, and we will be on it from tomorrow again to be ready for Sunday.”

Chelsea remain third in the Premier League table as they look to cement their spot in this season’s top four, with the title now seemingly out of their reach.

Champions League and FA Cup success are still on cards for the Blues, with respective trips to Lille and Middlesbrough taking place next week.

Thursday morning’s news on the sanctions imposed on Abramovich raised a lot of questions over the future of the club. Tickets will no longer be sold to fans for the rest of the campaign, with season ticket holders only able to attend fixtures in the Premier League as it stands.

Merchandise sales through the club have now halted, with both the megastore at Stamford Bridge and online being closed. Mobile network and Chelsea shirt sponsor Three have temporarily suspended their sponsorship of the club, with the company saying: “We recognise that this decision will impact the many Chelsea fans who follow their team passionately. However, we feel that given the circumstances, and the Government sanction that is in place, it is the right thing to do.”

Despite the sanctions Chelsea could still be sold, with potential buyers still believed to be keen on making a purchase of the English footballing giants.

One thing that is for certain though is that both Tuchel and his star studded squad will remain focused on the matters on the pitch in the hopes of ending the season in as strong of a position as possible, especially with the fate of the club beyond the current campaign still yet to be discovered.

Recent performances through a tough couple of weeks have proven this thanks to their wins against Luton Town, Burnley and Norwich, as well as a valiant effort against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

The club’s new owners, whoever they may be, will surely be aware of the drive that the manager and the squad possess as they continue to compete amid an extraordinary period of uncertainty.

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