Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has pledged that the sanctions against Blues owner Roman Abramovich, which rocked the European champions before their 3-1 win at Norwich on Thursday, will not destroy the club.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, seven more oligarchs were slammed with new British restrictions.
Chelsea are currently unable to sign new players, renew contracts, or sell match tickets due to the freezing of the Russian billionaire's assets in the United Kingdom.
Chelsea's club shop has been closed, and its principal shirt sponsor, mobile phone company Three, has temporarily suspended the £40 million ($52 million) deal in response to the fines.
The sanctions have raised fears for Chelsea’s survival, but Blues boss Tuchel insisted after the Premier League victory against Norwich that his team would not be throwing in the towel.
“So far we can trust each other and this will not change. As long as we have enough shirts and a bus to drive to the games we will be there and will compete hard,” he said.
“Everybody can be very sure that we focus on us, to keep the attitude and the mentality right on the training ground and within the team.
Reports on Thursday claimed sportswear giant Nike, which makes Chelsea’s kit, was also considering ending the £900 million, 15-year deal it signed with the club in 2016.
Car manufacturer Hyundai said it is “currently assessing” its contract with the Blues.
Chelsea, no longer allowed to spend more than £20,000 on away travel, will continue to receive TV broadcast payments and prize money, but this is set to be frozen.
They have been given a special license to continue playing, but Chelsea officials were holding talks with the government on Thursday to discuss the scope of that arrangement.
Abramovich had already announced he was willing to sell Chelsea, with a host of potential buyers declaring their interest in a club which has won 19 major trophies since the Russian bought them in 2003.
Tuchel has no idea which direction the club will head once Abramovich is gone, but he will not worry about problems he cannot control.
“I didn’t see that coming yesterday and I don’t know what is coming tomorrow,” Tuchel said.
“The level of impact it has, the news of today is big, in time we don’t know how big. We cannot influence it.”
There has been speculation Tuchel might quit Chelsea given their suddenly turbulent situation.
But the German, who has won the Champions League and Club World Cup since he was hired by Abramovich in January 2021, remains happy at the west London club.
“I am still happy to be here and still happy to be manager of a strong team,” he said.
