Does the current situation of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, close to Vladimir Putin, have any connection with last Saturday's debacle against the 14th in the Premier League?
Hard to say.
The Blues technician, Thomas Tuchel, in his role, even thinks that the events have no impact on his players.
On the contrary.
“
We are focusing on what we have at the moment and on our next matches.
So maybe it's an advantage because we can't get distracted and we'll take care of the disadvantages later, hopefully, when things are clarified
, ”he said in a press conference.
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Champions League fixtures and results
At the same time, in addition to the last defeat of this weekend, the results of his team prove the German coach right.
Indeed, since the sanctions pronounced on March 14 against its owner - freezing of his assets, bans on transactions with British individuals or companies, etc. -, Chelsea have won eight of their nine matches, all competitions combined.
Additional proof, in addition to recent statements at a press conference, in particular that of Kai Havertz before the trip to Lille in the Champions League, to show Blues supporters that the players have not let go of their club.
Read alsoChampions League: how Emery, Tuchel and Ancelotti bounced back away from PSG
During the usual pre-match press briefing with the journalists, the American Christian Pulisic even added a layer: “
The team did things very well to overcome this situation that the club is going through.
We responded by having good results except this weekend.
I don't think it changes much at the end of the season.
We will do the maximum.
»
Four potential buyers
However, it is difficult to completely conceal the events of recent days as the deadline approaches, set around April 11 by the investment bank Raine Group, responsible for finding a buyer.
Indeed, of the last four candidates currently in the running – Sir Martin Broughton, former chairman of Liverpool, accompanied by a consortium of investors;
Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball franchise;
Stephen Pagliuca, owner of the Celtics in the NBA and Atalanta Bergamo in Serie A;
Tom Ricketts, president of the Chicago Cubs baseball club – the name of the last potential buyer mentioned causes scandals among Blues supporters.
Ricketts family patriarch Joe made headlines in 2019 after making anti-Muslim remarks.
A Chelsea Supporter Trust survey of its members reveals that 77% of its members do not support or trust the Ricketts family.
This controversy, added to Chelsea's extra sporting troubles, makes the context around the club even heavier.
Is this environment beginning to affect Chelsea players?
Possible.
The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final should provide a first element of response to Blues lovers.
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