‘It’s his choice and his club’: Thomas Tuchel stands by Roman Abramovich’s intention to sell Chelsea

The news broke before kick-off on one of the most significant days in the club’s history

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said the news of Roman Abramovich’s intention to sell the club, which broke an hour before the Blues kicked-off against Luton in the FA Cup fifth round, was a distraction but will not impact his team in the short-term.

Abramovich, who is facing the threat of sanctions from the British state, has confirmed his intention to sell Chelsea amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.

Asked about how the news impacted his team and whether he agreed with Abramovich’s decision to sell after Chelsea came from behind to beat Luton at Kenilworth Road, Tuchel told the BBC: “I heard it a little bit earlier than you but it was still close to kick-off. It is big news.

“I think every decision he takes is the right decision. It is his choice and his club, and it’s not on me to comment.”

“Even if I want to answer I don’t know,” Tuchel continued when asked how the impending sale changes the club. “In the short-term for us as a team, staff and players, hopefully not too much, maybe even nothing.

“But the situation is now out there and it’s a big situation. There will be a lot of reports. What we try to do is shut out the noise and stay focused, which is not always easy. But we showed today that we could do it and will be do so again on Saturday.

“We don’t live on an island. The guys have internet connections in the hotel so we see the news and we see the rumours. It’s normal for some to be detached from it and some are maybe more concerned.

To play on a day on the same day is not so easy and it makes it a bigger performance and that is why I am very happy.”