Thomas Tuchel admits the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s ownership situation has been a ‘distraction’ amid the club’s indifferent form.
Chelsea have won just one of their last five Premier League fixtures, with the West Londoners next travelling to face struggling Leeds on Wednesday as the club look to assure their place in the top four.
The situation at Stamford Bridge looks to be heading towards a resolution with a consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly having agreed a takeover deal worth £4.25bn last weekend.
Tuchel admits he is pleased a conclusion is close to being completed and has discussed the challenges of operating under the ‘unique’ situation of the sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich and the club.
“We are the only club at the moment that suffers like this – may be the first club that ever suffered this,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“It is a situation that is unique and a situation that is quite challenging. Of course, everybody hopes for the situation to be clarified. These are steps in the right direction. We are waiting for it for a long time. We need positive energy and a competitive atmosphere at the club. It is very important for things to progress.”
The German revealed that the ongoing uncertainty has been a ‘distraction’ for the Chelsea squad, admitting he is looking forward to finding clarity as plans turn towards next season.
“It has for sure. There’s no sense in hiding from the fact that it is a distraction. It is a matter of to which level we can reach even if we are distracted or worried or disadvantaged by it.
“We did excellently until the international break, it had no effect in terms of results. It had almost the opposite effect. We felt strong during the difficulties and the announcement, the sanctions in place.
“Maybe something also very human and normal took place, in the moment of two weeks off or one week off with the players not here, there were different influences to them and maybe more thoughts to the situation in general.
“The situation is now very, very long and the players also want to feel competitive and know what’s going on next season.”
