Thomas Tuchel says there will be ‘no excuses’ in Chelsea’s pursuit of trophies this season despite the club’s off-field issues.
Chelsea are facing an uncertain immediate future following the government sanctions placed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich, with the west Londoners operating under a special licence following the action taken against the billionaire.
Restrictions have been placed on the day-to-day running of the club and Chelsea are expected to receive finalised takeover offers this week after being put up for sale.
Speaking ahead of the club’s Champions League clash with Lille tomorrow evening, Tuchel said he will try to provide ‘honest insight’ on Chelsea’s situation when he can.
“A new owner needs to arrive, to be approved, and then own the club. Then we can discuss it,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“There is a process how you become an owner in this league, and of course, as I said after the last game, everybody relies on the process and the values which are behind the decisions and allowances to run a club.
“Did I have a choice to take this role [over the last two weeks]? No, but it is day-by-day. Not a lot of people in England are talking at a club. It is something I appreciate that we keep it inside.
“I try to be honest, give you an insight, and give you information from a coach’s heart. This is what I try and what you can rely on.”
Among the sanctions placed on the club is a restricted budget for travel, though Tuchel says his side ‘have to deal with’ the problems faced as the club look to run as normally as possible.
“We have to deal with it. There are things to talk about, like how to arrive at games,” he said.
“Things that are normally taken care of, but now we have to stick together, give our opinions, and then we have to find solutions. There are subjects we don’t usually discuss but now we will.”
Chelsea have won back-to-back games since the sanctions were placed on Abramovich, including a last-gasp 1-0 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Tuchel was pleased with the resilience his side showed after beating the Magpies and says the squad will continue to focus on football.
“Against Newcastle, it was a question of mentality, resilience and physicality,” he said.
🗣️ "We can go by plane. If not, we go by train. If not, we go by bus. If not, I drive a seven-seater!"
Thomas Tuchel is letting nothing stop him from getting to Lille for Chelsea's midweek Champions League fixture… 🚌pic.twitter.com/1AYxWknWvp
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) March 13, 2022
“That makes any coach in the world, and me in particular, very happy. I am convinced the team knows what it took to be able to perform like this, to produce results. This is what we are up to tomorrow.
“We allow ourselves to focus on what we can control. The focus is to take the responsibility for the people at the club, there are hundreds of them.”
Chelsea lead 2-0 on aggregate following the first meeting between the teams last month and will be confident of progressing ahead of their trip to France.
The German insisted there will be ‘no excuses’ from his side ahead of the clash with the Ligue 1 champions and says Chelsea ‘owe it’ to their supporters to produce a performance.
“We have a framework to go to Lille and play in Lille. There will be no excuses. It is already more difficult to arrange things in the best way possible for the FA Cup, but we will deal with it.
“As long as we have shirts, as long as we are alive, we will arrive and fight hard for our success. We owe it to the people who normally support us in an invisible way.”
