“As long as we have a shirt, we will be competitive”

Sanctions imposed by the UK government have restricted Chelsea economically and affected the club’s logistics.

Thomas Tuchel He questioned the British government’s priorities after a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described football fans Chelsea Echoing Roman Abramovich’s name in matches is “completely inappropriate.”

Abramovich has been disqualified as a manager by Premier League On Saturday, after government sanctions identified a 55-year-old man as one of seven Russian oligarchs with business interests in Britain with close ties to Vladimir Putin.

After Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Burnley On March 5, Tuchel urged fans, who chanted in support of Abramovich during a minute of applause organized as a show of solidarity with Ukraine, to “show respect” after Russia’s invasion of the country.

But Tuchel questioned Johnson’s spokesman, noting on Monday, after hearing brief cheers from Abramovich in last weekend’s victory over Newcastle At Stamford Bridge, this is while we “recognize the strength of feeling about people’s clubs, but that does not justify completely inappropriate behavior at this point.

“I think people can show passion and support for the club without resorting to that kind of thing.. “

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday before the second leg of the round of 16 Champions League against nightsaid Tuchel, “I heard about it. I heard about it a few minutes ago. I don’t know if it is, at these times, the most important debate that is ever in Parliament.”

“I don’t know if the fan cheers being discussed in Parliament means we should be concerned about the priorities of this government. But OK, listen, there’s no need to comment from me. We have more urgent things to discuss and deal with.”

Abramovich offered the club for sale as a result of sanctions with the government having to agree a license to Chelsea to find a new owner.

A favorite bidder is expected to be identified on Friday, but until the sale is complete Chelsea will have to operate under strict financial guidelines, which include spending no more than £20,000 on trips to overseas matches.

Chelsea’s trip to Lille was paid for before the UK government’s decision to implement the sanctions last Thursday, and that has not changed, but Tuchel said plans should deviate from the norm for the Saturday-to-Wednesday FA Cup final against Middlesbrough.

“There are limitations and we have to deal with them,” Tuchel said. “There are adjustments to the number of employees, travelers, the number of rooms in hotels and how we access the games.”

“It is not about luxury. This is just a professional level sport where we play two days at a time with our opponent for four days and come with the injury potential. For this, it is better to arrive by plane rather than by bus.. “

“We have tried to do that. In my view, we have a structure to play at Lille with no excuses at all. In terms of these organisations, things are already much more difficult at a professional level, in the best possible way, for the FA Cup. Dealing with that.”

“As long as we have shirts and live as a team, we will be able to compete and fight hard for our success. We owe it to the people who support us in a very invisible way. Of course, we are in the spotlight and it is our responsibility to do so.