Petr Cech admits he is unsure whether Chelsea can pay wages amid the current sanctions on the club and is hoping for clarity on the situation soon.
Chelsea are in conversations with the UK government over its operating licence following the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Talks have been held with government officials over an amendment to the club’s licence as the west Londoners look to operate as normally as possible, but under the conditions that Abramovich cannot make profit from the club.
Cech – who now works as a technical and performance advisor at Stamford Bridge – admits the current sanctions make Chelsea’s immediate future uncertain and admitted he is looking to ensure that the Blues can finish the Premier League season.
“I have to admit we go day by day,” Cech said, as per the Times. “We don’t have this in our hands. The conversations are going on [so] that we can actually operate in a way to finish the season.
“We hope the situation will be clearer soon. We hope that the people working for the club will be able to get their salaries and to live their lives and work. But this is a difficult question for me. I don’t have the answers.
“We have the board and people in the club talking to the government over how we can operate and carry on. We try to do the best we can day by day and prepare for every game.”
Chelsea are due to face Lille in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, though the Blues have been restricted to just £20,000 costs for away fixtures.
Thomas Tuchel has discussed his determination to get his squad to France and fulfil the fixture, admitting he’s prepared to drive his squad himself if required.
“My last information is we are getting a plane,” Tuchel said in his post-match press conference fter the 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
“We can go by plane and come back by plane. If not, we’ll go by train. If not, we’ll go by bus. If not, I’ll drive a seven-seater. Honestly I will do it. You can mark my words, I will do [whatever is necessary] to arrive there.
“Of course there are some negotiations going on and talks, but it doesn’t influence me.”
