Chelsea boss Tuchel comments on Abramovich situation
Roman Abramovich's decision to sell Premier League team Chelsea will take some time to sink in, says the club's German boss Thomas Tuchel.
It was confirmed on Wednesday evening that the London team is officially on the market after Abramovich opted to sell the club some 19 years after he purchased it, a decision hastened by a wave of UK government sanctions being levied at Russian billionaires in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
And speaking after Chelsea's 3-2 FA Cup win against Luton Town on Wednesday, Tuchel admitted that there is an air of uncertainty enveloping the European champions.
"It will happen. It always happens," Tuchel told the media when asked if he expects a figure from within the club to discuss the changes with him and his playing staff.
"Me personally? I don't think I have to talk about it. I do not know as much as maybe you think. I'm not a CEO or a member of the board. I am very sure the club will speak to us and to the players and it's also necessary."
News that the club was up for sale came around an hour before the kick-off against Luton Town, with Tuchel stating that the dust had not yet settled and that further clarification is required from the board as to what a new ownership set-up might look like.
"I cannot clarify the situation. I am pretty sure a member of the board will talk to us and clarify the situation," he said.
"It's a bit too early as it's big news. It's a bit too early for me to speak. I can only think about Chelsea with Roman Abramovich, so it's very hard for me. It didn't sink in yet this is going to stop. It's a massive change.
"[I last spoke to Roman] on the pitch in Abu Dhabi [after beating Palmeiras in the World Club Cup]."
Abramovich's statement in which he confirmed he was selling the club also confirmed that he was to write off a £1.5 billion ($2 billion) loan which was owed to him by the club.
He also instructed the club to set up a charitable foundation where all proceeds from the sale of Chelsea will help benefit "victims of the war in Ukraine."
Chelsea are next in action in the Premier League on Saturday when they travel to relegation-threatened Burnley.
