https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12554796/
Thomas Tuchel says Roman Abramovich's decision to pass over control of
Chelsea makes no difference to him and team
Tuesday 1 March 2022 22:13, UK
Thomas Tuchel has pleaded for the media to stop asking him about Roman
Abramovich as parliament hears the Chelsea owner is hastily selling his UK
properties.
A visibly moved Tuchel asked reporters to stop asking him questions about
the war in Ukraine, saying the situation is "horrible".
"You have to stop, I am not a politician," Tuchel said, eventually halting
journalists after several questions at his pre-match press conference
before Chelsea play Luton in the FA Cup.
"I can only repeat myself, and I feel bad to repeat it as I never
experienced war. So even to talk about it, I feel bad. I'm very privileged
as I sit here in peace. I do the best I can but you have to stop asking me
these questions as I have no answers for you."
Labour MP Chris Bryant used Parliamentary Privilege to reveal that Chelsea
owner Abramovich is selling his UK home and another flat, telling the
House of Commons the Russian billionaire is "terrified of being
sanctioned". Sky Sports News has approached Chelsea and Abramovich's
representatives for a response.
https://i.imgur.com/YWzyZsA.jpg
Tuchel says Abramovich's decision to pass over control of the club to
trustees has made no difference to him and the team, or the day to day
running of the club.
He reiterated he does not expect his responsibilities at Stamford Bridge
to change, despite Abramovich announcing his intention to hand stewardship
and care of the club to its charitable foundation. Abramovich released his
statement on Saturday, on the eve of Chelsea's Carabao Cup final defeat to
Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Luton, Tuchel
said: "For me as a coach and in charge of the first team, the position
doesn't change too much in the daily business.
https://i.imgur.com/SbaBRTZ.jpg
"I have daily exchanges with [director] Marina [Granovskaia] and
[technical and performance advisor] Petr Cech about how to improve the
first team and this won't stop because they stay in charge. It doesn't
affect what I do on a daily basis."
When asked if Abramovich's ownership of Chelsea is a problem, Tuchel
added: "It's a bit too much for me to answer. I'm not aware of any details
and I'm not aware of the whole situation. We all agree there are
situations much more important than football.
"This will never change. Situations like war are of course so much more
important but it's not for me to comment on the situation with Abramovich.
I don't know enough about it."
https://i.imgur.com/CPKrSIQ.jpg
"There are much more important things than football. Of course, war is
horrible and there cannot be any other opinion than this. But why should
we be more distracted than anyone else? There is a huge distraction going
on and we are worried but we try to create an atmosphere where we can
focus on our passion.
"We are privileged but of course across Europe, everyone has noise in
their heads they don't like. Everyone is trying to do their best to do
their work."
When asked if he was worried about the future running of Chelsea, Tuchel
said: "I'm not sure if I'm the person to give any messages to the fans
that isn't sporting.
https://i.imgur.com/opujxjB.jpg
"We try to be calm here and we are calm in the centre of a storm or of
some noise around us that we cannot control and we are also not
responsible for it. It's best to stay calm, focus on what we love and what
we do. This is sport. We have a right to focus on sport and the players
have a right to be focused. This is what we can tell the fans and this is
what they saw on Sunday.
"There is a lot of commitment from the players and the fans but everyone
is aware there are more important things. The situation in Ukraine is much
more important than football and yet still there was a full stadium at
Wembley and two strong teams who played a fantastic match. We can distract
the fans and entertain them, and I don't see any other solution."