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regular-article-logo Sunday, 06 October 2024

FA Cup: Chelsea beat Luton Town amid takeover buzz

Roman Abramovich has transformed the Blues into a trophy-winning machine during his 19 years as owner

Reuters Published 04.03.22, 12:21 AM
Roman Abramovich

Roman Abramovich File Photo

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and his players emerged from a tumultuous day with victory on the pitch on Wednesday but their 3-2 FA Cup win at Luton Town was a side-show after Russian owner Roman Abramovich announced he was selling the club.

Abramovich has not only transformed Chelsea into a trophy-winning machine during his 19 years as owner, he also changed the landscape of English football.

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But after Russia invaded Ukraine and the country’s oligarchs were targeted with sanctions in response, the metals magnate announced before kick-off that he was selling the European and world champions “in the club’s best interests”.

Chelsea fans sang Abramovich’s name and their new favourite chant “We’ve Won it All”.

Luton’s fans responded by singing “You Bought it All” — a reference to the reported £1.5 billion in Abramovich loans that enabled Chelsea to scoop up the world’s best talent.

Tuchel said he was focused on his job of winning football matches on a seismic day for the London side.

“Even if I want to answer I don’t exactly know what it means in the very short term I think for us as a team, staff and players,” Tuchel said.

“But yeah, it’s a big situation and (the players) can understand it. So there will be a lot of reports but we try to do what we do to cancel the noise and to stay focused which is not always easy.”

Speculation is rife about what happens next at Chelsea.

Swiss business tycoon Hansjoerg Wyss was quoted by newspaper Blick saying he was considering buying the club. “It will be big change, but I am also never afraid of change and I’ll focus on what I can influence,” Tuchel said.

“I’m not worried. I feel privileged and in a good place. I’m not a person who worries about things I can’t influence. It’s big news and a big change but I am not scared of change.”

Liverpool also booked their spot in the quarter finals as a first-half double from Japanese forward Takumi Minamino secured a 2-1 win over Norwich City at Anfield.

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