Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel praised the response of Jorginho to Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The Blues playmaker saw his nation fail to reach Qatar 2022 following their UEFA play-off loss to North Macedonia last month, bringing the Azzurri back to earth after last year's Euro 2020 triumph.

For Jorginho, a standout performer for club and country over the past year-and-a-half, it has been a bitter blow, and he was released early from international duty to return to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Brentford this weekend, Tuchel said he had not addressed the matter in-depth with the player, but took time to hail his resolve.

"To be very honest, I did not speak a lot with him about that," Tuchel told a media conference. "What could I say to make his pain go away? Nothing.

"If I am the 200th person to tell him to put his head up high... Like always, with the players, it is our job to create an environment and atmosphere where the players feel welcome, feel safe.

"Of course this happens in sport, and it feels horrible for him personally. But here is a safe place for him. He was very strong in training, with a good response.

"He came in one day earlier than he needed to be. That's why I had the feeling that he wanted to be back in this environment, because it is a positive environment."

Jorginho was instrumental in Chelsea's run to Champions League glory last term, and then Italy's Euro 2020 triumph over England in July.

But two missed penalties during the World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland proved pivotal in the Azzurri failing to win their group and having to contest the play-offs.

The Brazilian-born midfielder will now look to help Chelsea push on to finish on a high this term, with the club still in contention for FA Cup and Champions League success once more.

Mikel Arteta was named the Premier League's Manager of the Month for March, earning his second award of the season.

The Arsenal manager's win was announced on Friday, making him the first Gunners boss to be recognised twice in the same campaign since Arsene Wenger in 2007-08.

Arteta – the Manager of the Month in September after three wins from three games – was rewarded for his side taking nine points from four matches.

Four other teams matched Arsenal's March points haul, including Chelsea and Liverpool – both of whom had 100 per cent records.

But Arteta was chosen ahead of either Thomas Tuchel, who dragged Chelsea through a tumultuous month off the field, or Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool team handed Arsenal their only defeat.

Crucially, Arsenal climbed from sixth at the start of March to fourth entering April, leapfrogging West Ham and Manchester United.

Heading into this weekend, Tottenham are now Arsenal's closest top-four rivals in fifth, three points back having played a game more.

Arsenal's next match is at Crystal Palace on Monday, when they will be looking for a sixth consecutive away league win.

The Gunners' existing run of five is their longest since September 2013 (eight) and longest in a single season since May 2002 (also eight).

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said in no uncertain terms that he feels Reece James is not physically ready to go away on international duty.

James, 22, has had a rough run with injuries after tearing his hamstring against Brighton late in December, briefly returning in the first week of March before getting sidelined once again.

The impressive full-back is having a great season, with five goals and six assists from 17 Premier League appearances.

England manager Gareth Southgate turned heads when he named James in the squad for upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, but Tuchel was firm when asked for his thoughts.

"[Technical and Performance Adviser] Petr Cech will have this chat because, of course, the recommendation is that [James] does not go [on international duty]," he said following Chelsea's 2-0 FA Cup win against Middlesbrough.

"He is still in individual training, otherwise, we would have brought him to Lille and we would have brought him here for sure. There is no doubt about it. 

"He is still in individual training, he needs one more week of rehabilitation and I think we can provide this much better – it is not the job of the national team to do this."

Chelsea will next play Brentford on April 2, before hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League a few days later.

Thomas Tuchel hailed the Chelsea players' response to the current takeover speculation after his side secured their FA Cup semi-final spot with a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Boro knocked out Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham to reach the last eight, but Chelsea dominated throughout at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku poked home after 15 minutes and Hakim Ziyech doubled the visitors' lead shortly after as the Blues progressed from quarter-finals for the 16th time in their previous 20 last-eight ties.

It was Chelsea's fifth straight win across all competitions since owner Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom government and the European Union (EU) in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, announced his intentions to sell the club on March 2.

Chelsea also coasted to victory with no away fans in attendance due to the sanctions imposed on Abramovich, and Tuchel was delighted.

"We were very focused and very serious from the beginning," Tuchel told BBC Sport.

"We showed quality in decisive moments and scored two early goals which gave us a comfortable lead, but the effort was huge to not allow big chances. I'm very happy, it was a very deserved win.

"I'm impressed with the players' focus. We accepted the [ownership] situation because we didn't cause it. It isn't in our hands, but it was important we showed the right spirit and took responsibility.

"This is very, very good. If you have the talent, it is a responsibility to show it."

Mason Mount, whose two assists took him to 50 direct goal involvements for Chelsea across all competitions, also echoed Tuchel's comments.

"Middlesbrough have been on an unbelievable run, you've seen the teams they've beat recently in the cup, so it was never going to be a comfortable night," he said.

"We didn't have many fans here tonight but I felt that we let our football do the talking. We played some good stuff, and that was the main goal for us tonight.

"We really have that winning mentality within the group. Any competition, any game, we want to win, and we want to keep that going. It's been a tough couple of weeks but for us, as a team, we're just focused and ready to play.

"We're so hungry for a domestic title, we just need to keep going. It's not been the best of runs for us at Wembley but we want to right that wrong.

"We've already had one final at Wembley this season and lost it so we're hungry to win [the semi-final]."

Chelsea secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a comfortable 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Boro overcame Manchester United and Tottenham to reach the last eight, but Thomas Tuchel's Premier League side did not have such difficulties at the Riverside Stadium.

Romelu Lukaku needed just 15 minutes to open the scoring before Hakim Ziyech added a second in the first half, while Boro managed only one shot on target, which came in the 85th minute, in response.

Chelsea will now wait to find out the identity of their semi-final opponent in Sunday's last-four draw, with the ties set to take place across April 16 and 17 at Wembley Stadium.

Mason Mount's early cross just escaped the despairing dive of Christian Pulisic at the back post, but Chelsea were ahead shortly after.

A sweeping move out from defence offered space down the right for Mount, who whipped across for Lukaku to tap-in.

Ziyech doubled the lead 16 minutes later when he finished into the bottom-left corner from outside the area following an offload from Mount.

Mount's second assist of the game took him to 50 goal involvements for Chelsea across all competitions, while Anfernee Dijksteel cleared off the line from Lukaku before the break.

Folarin Balogun wastefully curled over and Duncan Watmore missed the target in similar fashion as Chris Wilder's side ramped up the intensity early in the second half.

Joe Lumley then denied a flicked Timo Werner header from Mount's inswinging free-kick and Edouard Mendy turned away from Watmore as Chelsea eased to victory.

What does it mean? Blues keep double hopes alive

The Premier League title appears a distant dream for Chelsea, who are third in the league, after Manchester City and Liverpool turned the race into a two-team affair.

But Tuchel's reigning European champions remain in contention to defend their Champions League title – facing Real Madrid in the quarter-finals – and are still in the hunt for the FA Cup, after progressing from the last eight for the 16th time in their last 20 quarter-final attempts.

Lovely Lukaku

Lukaku has now had a direct hand in four goals against Boro across all competitions (three goals, one assist).

His first-half strike was also his 16th FA Cup finish since his debut in January 2012 – with only Sergio Aguero (20) finding the net more times in the competition during that period.

Barren Boro run against Blues

Since recording consecutive Premier League wins over Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2006, Boro have lost all nine of their meetings against the Blues in all competitions.

Chelsea have recorded 21 goals during that nine-game winning run, with Boro not managing to breach the Blues' defence once in response.

What's next?

Chelsea return to Premier League action after the international break at home to Brentford on April 2, while Middlesbrough visit Peterborough in the Championship on the same day.

Thomas Tuchel is convinced Chelsea will remain focused on winning trophies at the highest level under the club's next ownership.

The deadline for bids passed on Friday, and there were reportedly at least 30 offers submitted to US merchant bank the Raine Group, which is overseeing the sale.

Chelsea's long-time owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government on the basis of connections to Russia's president, Vladimir Putin.

Abramovich has denied having close ties to Putin, the leader who ordered the ongoing Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

However, the sanctions imposed mean Abramovich, whose assets have been frozen, will not be allowed to profit from the sale of Chelsea. For now, the club continues to operate on a special licence, unable to sell match tickets or merchandise.

Tuchel believes the scale of investment that it will take to buy Chelsea will mean the next owner must make success on the pitch a priority.

The German head coach said: "If somebody buys a club for this amount of money then it's about challenging on the highest kind of level, then it's about trophies, then it's about winning, and then it's about being the best you can.

"It's not about developing a project, it's not about making money with the club.

"I don't know the ideas behind buying a club or any organisation for this amount of money because I cannot afford it and I will never be able to.

"But that's what I hope and what I think. I think Chelsea as a club and a structure and an organisation has an awful to offer, and that's why the price is like it is."

Chelsea have won the Champions League and Club World Cup over the past 12 months, asserting their place at the top of the global game.

The Blues were due in FA Cup action against Middlesbrough on Saturday evening, having received permission to fly north for the game.

Restrictions imposed on the club after Abramovich's sanctioning meant Chelsea looked like having to take a long bus trip to the Riverside Stadium in order to fall within spending limits, but UK newspaper reports indicate an exemption was secured for the quarter-final game.

Abramovich is said to have valued the club, which he bought in 2003, at £3billion. Any funds are due to be directed to a charitable organisation or into a frozen account.

One interested party is a consortium headed by British property developer and Chelsea supporter Nick Candy. The Ricketts family, owners of MLB's Chicago Cubs and backed by hedge fund entrepreneur Ken Griffin, are another party to have officially made a bid.

Martin Broughton, the ex-Liverpool chairman, and Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, are heading up a consortium, with another led by Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss and American businessman Todd Boehly, a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Thomas Tuchel sees no reason to leave Chelsea for Manchester United despite the continued uncertainty at Stamford Bridge.

Sanctions imposed on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich – a Russian businessman who is claimed to have links to Vladimir Putin – in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine have impacted the club's day-to-day operations.

As they wait on a sale, the Blues cannot engage in contract negotiations or sell tickets or merchandise, while their spending in key areas such as travel is capped.

Meanwhile, United – one of the richest clubs in world football – are looking for a new manager for next season, prompting talk Tuchel could be targeted.

But the Chelsea coach, who confirmed his side would be able to fly to Middlesbrough for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final, dismissed the suggestion.

Asked for his reaction to the reports, Tuchel said: "There's no reaction at all.

"Do you feel me [being] less committed to the club? Less involved in the club in my situation? I think absolutely not.

"I have said many times that I love to be here and I love to work for Chelsea, and this club has everything that it needs to make me happy. That's why there is no need.

"We have plenty of reasons to stay in the moment here, and that is what we're doing."

A move to Old Trafford would ensure Tuchel's ability to spend in the coming transfer window, which remains uncertain as long as he stays at Chelsea.

But the Champions League-winning coach is confident the London club will be able to stay competitive.

"Maybe players will decide something they would not have decided if the situation had been different. Okay, maybe," he said.

"But there are so many 'ifs' in this; if it comes to this, we will find a solution.

"I still believe Chelsea will stay strong, Chelsea will hopefully stay football first, will hopefully stay a team-first club. I have trust and I believe in our ability to adapt.

"We will find solutions once the situation has cleared, once we are hopefully able to act again."

Although Tuchel was previewing the Boro game – for which Reece James is a doubt, putting his England availability into question with Trent Alexander-Arnold already out – he was speaking moments after Chelsea were drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

A clash with Atletico Madrid's tie with Manchester City could prevent Chelsea playing away at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg, as was initially indicated, but no change had been made as Tuchel reflected on the draw.

"It's a tough one," he said. "The challenge cannot be much higher than playing the second leg in the Bernabeu with spectators.

"It's a big challenge, but there is also big excitement around this match, around this fixture. We know what's coming. It will be an exciting match and a tough challenge."

Thomas Tuchel says he wants Chelsea to be the side that everyone aims to avoid heading into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The reigning champions kept their title defence on track on Wednesday by advancing to the last eight with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Lille.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago, Tuchel's side fell behind at Stade Pierre-Mauroy to a Burak Yilmaz penalty.

However, Christian Pulisic responded in first-half stoppage time, before Cesar Azpilicueta completed the turnaround with 19 minutes remaining.

Tuchel is hopeful his side will have the fear factor in the quarter-final draw, which takes place on Friday.

The head coach also heaped praise on skipper Azpilicueta, whose last Champions League goal also came against Lille back in December 2019.

"I want us to be the team nobody wants to play," Tuchel said. "That's the role we want to see ourselves in this last eight.

"[Azpilicueta] is maybe the perfect example to describe a person as a leader. He is doing it in good times and bad times, if he is a regular starter or not. 

"If he is playing a wing-back, which is maybe not his best position, he is there. We do not need extra, extra at the moment; we just need reliable teamwork and reliable spirit.

"I don't know if Azpi is talking to the players; I just know he is doing what he normally does."

Chelsea are back in action on Sunday, when they travel to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The build-up to the tie was dominated by the club requesting that home supporters also be blocked from attending the Riverside, after restrictions imposed following the sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich rendered them unable to sell any tickets beyond the 600 already sold from their away allocation.

The Blues subsequently withdrew the request, which had been met with widespread ridicule and opposition, with Tuchel also welcoming that decision.

"We love to play in front of spectators and I don't think the spectators of our opponents should suffer from the consequences," he added. "We love to play in front of spectators. 

"Me and the team were not involved in this decision. We were happy it was withdrawn."

Chelsea's culture was pivotal to them overcoming tough circumstances to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, according to Thomas Tuchel. 

There were question marks over the Blues' ability to travel to Lille for the second leg of their Champions League games after sanctions were imposed on their owner Roman Abramovich by the United Kingdom government. 

Upon arrival in France, there were concerns the game may not have been able to go ahead after the European Union hit Abramovich with further sanctions. 

However, Chelsea - who are expected to be sold to new owners before the end of the season - were able to take on Lille and fought back after falling behind to Burak Yilmaz's first-half penalty. 

Goals from Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta sealed a 4-1 aggregate win over the Ligue 1 champions, with Tuchel claiming a record-breaking 32nd victory after 50 Champions League games as a coach. 

"The quarter-finals is a big step. We showed resilience and mentality to overcome difficulties. We did what was necessary. We dug in and got a deserved win. It's difficult here," Tuchel told BT Sport. 

"Chelsea has this kind of culture within the club where we work every day. What I found from day one was a football first mentality. Everybody pushes the first team every three days, everybody goes to the limit and is focused on football. 

"We've been trying to implement an atmosphere. This culture is already installed and this helps us now to focus with difficult and distracting times because it's always there. 

"We encourage the players. It feels so good we can still produce results and I'm proud." 

Chelsea struggled to create chances until Pulisic's goal on the stroke of half-time, while Xeka hit the post for Lille before Azpilicueta's goal. 

Tuchel said: "We weren't so good in the first half. The pitch was horrible and it made things complicated. It was a new pitch not ready to play on. The tactics weren't right in the first 20 minutes, I take responsibility. Then it was more fluid. 

"It was very important to calm everyone down. We were lucky with the post. 

"We hope and expect to carry on. We want to compete. It took a lot of sacrifice, we fought hard to be in the last eight. We're excited for the draw. We have a game in Middlesbrough three days later." 

Chelsea have now won four straight knockout games in the Champions League for just the second time. The last time they achieved that feat was in 2011-12, when they beat Bayern Munich on penalties in the final. 

Thomas Tuchel set a record for the most Champions League wins after 50 games as a coach in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Lille on Wednesday. 

The Blues' triumph at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in their last-16 second leg put Tuchel on 32 victories from a half-century of matches. 

It sent him past the previous benchmark set by Zinedine Zidane, who managed 31 wins in his first 50 Champions League games in the dugout. 

Chelsea had to come from behind to complete a 4-1 aggregate success against Lille, though. Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta overturned Burak Yilmaz's opener from the penalty spot to send them into the quarter-finals.

Thomas Tuchel will expect Chelsea to mark his 50th Champions League game as a boss with a win at Lille and Juve will be favourites to knock Villarreal out on Wednesday.

There is huge uncertainty at Stamford Bridge after Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale before having his assets frozen by the United Kingdom government, but the London club have won four consecutive games.

The holders travel to Lille for the second leg of the round-of-16 tie with a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from the in-form Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.

Juve and Villarreal will start their showdown at the Allianz Stadium locked at 1-1 after Dani Parejo equalised following Dusan Vlahovic's early strike.

Stats Perform picks out the standout Opta data ahead of the two games.

Lille v Chelsea

Havertz has become the Blues' main man, scoring four goals in his past three matches and six in seven.

Chelsea head coach Tuchel has won 31 of his 49 matches and can set a record for the most victories in his first 50 games as a boss in the competition with another success in Lille, as he is currently level with Zinedine Zidane's tally.

Lille's chances of forcing their way back into the tie appear to be slim, as not only do they trail by two goals, they have lost their past three Champions League games against the Premier League club.

They have also been eliminated from each of their three previous European knockout ties after losing the first leg.

The last side to progress against Champions League holders after failing to score in the opening leg was Arsenal versus Milan in 2007-08, with the first leg a goalless draw.

Each of Chelsea's past 11 wins in the Champions League have come with a clean sheet, 10 of which have come under Tuchel in just 14 matches.

Juventus v Villarreal

January signing Vlahovic set a record for the quickest goal by a Champions League debutant when he was on target after only 32 seconds of the first leg.

Juve are without a win in each of their past seven first-leg games in the Champions League (D3 L4), going on to be eliminated from four of their previous five knockout ties in the competition. 

Villarreal have won their past two away games in the Champions League, the same number of victories as they managed across the 15 such matches beforehand.

Juve have only lost three of their previous 23 Champions League matches at home to Spanish sides in this competition, winning 12 and drawing eight.

This will be Villarreal’s first visit to Juventus in any competition as they scent a place in the quarter-finals.

Juan Cuadrado is in line to make his 50th appearance for Bianconeri in the Champions League. He has provided 11 assists for the Serie A giants in the competition, which is the most by any player in the period since he first joined the club in 2015.

Thomas Tuchel has questioned the priorities of the United Kingdom government after Chelsea supporters were criticised for chanting the name of owner Roman Abramovich.

Some Chelsea fans continued to express their backing for Abramovich during Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle United after he was sanctioned by the UK's government last week.

Abramovich had his assets frozen in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to uncertainty over Chelsea's future.

The Russian billionaire can still apply for a licence that would allow him to sell the club, though he cannot receive any proceeds from a sale in such circumstances.

With Chelsea fans continuing to chant in support of Abramovich, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's called for them to stop.

"We recognise the strength of feeling around people's clubs but that does not excuse behaviour which is completely inappropriate at this time," the spokesperson said.

"I think people can show passion and support for their club without resorting to that sort of stuff."

When those comments were put to Tuchel ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie with Lille, however, he urged those in power to focus on more pressing matters.

"I don't know if in these times this is the most important subject to be discussed in parliament," Tuchel said in a news conference.

"If fans chants need to be discussed in parliament, maybe we need to worry about the priorities of discussions there, but okay. 

"There's no need to comment from me. We have far more urgent things to discuss and handle."

Off-the-field talk again dominated Tuchel's media conference, though the former Paris Saint-Germain boss reiterated it is business as usual on the field.

Chelsea make the trip to Lille for the second leg of their last-16 tie boasting a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic three weeks ago.

"There is not more uncertainty. It's the same situation like in the last days. There are no updates," he said.

"Before we discuss a new owner, a new owner needs to arrive, be approved and be allowed to own a football club. Then we can discuss it if it's necessary.

"I did not have a choice to take this role [as spokesperson]. Do I need it? No. Listen, it's more or less day by day. 

"We talk inside and of course we have people who are in charge of different roles and different responsibilities but to the outside it is more or less me who talks. 

"I don't think too much about it. I try to be honest, give you an insight, provide you information from a coach's heart. Maybe this is what I try and you can rely on. 

"I am more than happy if things calm down and we can speak about football."

Tuchel will not let speculation regarding the ownership situation distract his side, though he admitted last week's sanctions – including a cap on spending – have had an impact.

Chelsea already booked flights to France before restrictions were put in place, but they may be forced to drive to Middlesbrough for Saturday's FA Cup tie. 

"There are restrictions, which we have to deal with it," he said. "There are adjustments in our amount of staff who is travelling, how many rooms we have in hotels, how we arrive.

"That will come soon. To my understanding everything is in place now we can arrive on a professional level. It is not about luxury, it is not about bling bling. 

"It is a professional level of sports where we play having only two days between matches while our opponents have four days. To arrive and decrease the possibility of injuries.

"For that, it is better to arrive with a plane than to sit in a bus. We try to be as professional as possible in the frame that we can do it. 

"To my understanding, we have a framework to go to Lille and play the game in Lille where there will be absolutely no excuses regarding this. 

"It is like already a bit more difficult to arrange things in the best way possible in the FA Cup. 

"As long as we have shirts, as long as we are 'alive', as long as we are a team and arrive with our players we will be competitive and fight hard for our success.

"We owe it to the people that support us in very invisible way. We are in the spotlight. It is our responsibility to do so and we will."

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel promised to stay at Stamford Bridge until at least the end of the season amid ongoing uncertainty behind the scenes at the London club.

The German head coach saw his side snatch a 1-0 win against Newcastle United on Sunday thanks to a sublime 89th-minute goal from Kai Havertz.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich was one of seven Russian oligarchs to have assets frozen by the UK government on Thursday due to his native country's military invasion of Ukraine.

Chelsea are now operating under a special sporting licence, barring them from negotiating new contracts or transfers and preventing them from making ticket or merchandise sales, although reports have suggested the government may permit a swift sale of the club.

Speaking at a media conference after Sunday's win, Tuchel addressed his own immediate future.

"There's no doubt I stay until the end of the season," he said. "We just have to wait day by day because everything can change.

"There are circumstances we can't influence, but that gives us the freedom to focus on the things we can influence.

"The focus is on the first team, our players and me. But Chelsea is much more than just the first team. It is a massive club with huge tradition and there are hundreds of staff. It's not just the players, and it's important we show the spirit and give them the distraction."

The former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain coach enthusiastically celebrated the late winner on the sidelines, and was relieved to overcome a tricky game against Eddie Howe's resurgent Magpies.

"The Kai Havertz goal was exceptional, and we had a hard time on the pitch," Tuchel said. "They were very physical, and it was difficult to accelerate the game in the last 30 metres. It was important not to concede so that with one quality chance we could win it, and we did it."

Tuchel was also asked about arrangements for their Champions League last-16 second leg in Lille on Wednesday.

"My last information is we have a plane and we can go by plane and come back by plane. If not, we go by train; if not, by bus; if not, I will drive a seven-seater," he joked.

"If you asked me 30 years ago if I could join a Champions League match at the sideline, I'd say, 'when do I need to be there and how do I need to be there?'."

Chelsea legend Petr Cech concedes the club are living "day-to-day" amid their ongoing ownership crisis, but remains hopeful they will be able to finish the season at home and abroad.

The Blues are embroiled in a slew of sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich in relation to the Ukraine-Russia crisis by the UK government.

Chelsea are now operating under a special sporting licence, barring them from negotiating new contracts or transfers and preventing them from making ticket or merchandise sales, although reports have suggested that the government may yet permit a swift sale of the club.

Concerns remain over the club's ability to see out the season and speaking ahead of Chelsea's clash with Newcastle on Sunday, former goalkeeper Cech - who now works as a technical advisor at the club - said they remain in the dark on their future.

"We have to admit that we go day-by-day," he told Sky Sports. "We don't have this in our hands. The conversations are going on [about] whether we can operate, whether we can finish the season, because it is a difficult situation.

"I believe that, for us to be able to carry on the season, would help everybody in the Premier League."

With financial restrictions likely to be further imposed, Chelsea look almost certain to be unable to keep players such as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – who are both in the final months of their contracts – at the end of the campaign.

Questions are also being asked about the future of boss Thomas Tuchel, who led Chelsea to Champions League glory last season.

Cech kept his cards close to his chest regarding the coach's future, but paid tribute to his success, adding: "Thomas has a contract until 2024. As it stands, we've been told that the club contracts will be valued, and in that way, we hope that we will have him as a coach.

"He's been absolutely brilliant on every level. But that's another thing. Tomorrow, the situation could change, and my answer with it."

Asked on how to pitch the club to prospective new owners, Cech offered further praise for the team's mentality in over a century as a professional team, stating: "Chelsea has 117 years of history and a lot of success.

"That success has come down to hard work and dedication of the people who have been working ever since the club was founded. It has had its own journey, its own success.

"This is not about money - it is about the hard work, the dedication of the players who sweat every day to make the club successful. We've done it all inside the rules, and all the Financial Fair Play [operations] that were in our power, and I believe that shouldn't be forgotten."

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says turmoil surrounding the club pales in comparison to his concern about events in Ukraine and other war zones.

The Blues head coach was speaking before reports emerged that Chelsea's bank account has been suspended by Barclays. Sky News said the action was taken to allow the bank time to look at the licence Chelsea have been granted to continue to operate as a football club.

Tuchel expressed gratitude for his "privileged" position as a coach, and affirmed that speaking about Chelsea's hardships makes him feel "uncomfortable".

With owner Roman Abramovich one of several oligarchs hit with sanctions from the United Kingdom government in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Chelsea face restrictive measures affecting ticket and merchandise sales, as well as transfer and contract negotiations.

The Blues briefly set their troubles aside to beat Norwich City 3-1 on Thursday, but Tuchel says Chelsea's hardships, though disruptive, do not compare to those faced in Ukraine and elsewhere.

"It is hard to focus only on football," the 48-year-old told Sky Sports. "But as bad and as horrible as the situation is in Ukraine, and the situation that Russia started this war, which is incredible and unacceptable and horrible, there are so many things which are more important than football.

"It was also [this way] before the war Russia started.

"There are children dying, and other wars going in the world that are not so much in the [public] focus, people dying of corona. So, there are so much more, so many more important jobs out there than mine, and it makes me feel uncomfortable.

"There are so many people out there helping in war zones, helping children getting water, getting medication, there are so many more important jobs out there than being a football coach.

"It makes me feel uncomfortable to name it a problem, where we are [within football]. Because we are still very, very privileged, this is how I personally feel."

With Chelsea preparing to host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday, looking to defend a nine-match unbeaten home run in the competition, Tuchel says current circumstances mean he intends to saviour every moment in his role.

"Maybe it has never been more true to live in the moment, because everything else seems very, very difficult," Tuchel said.

"To understand the situation feels very difficult, to see where it is going is maybe impossible. So in the end, we stick to the mantra to live in the moment and worship where we are.

"It is not easy, but it is out of our control. Sometimes it makes things more difficult, but sometimes [it is] more easy to accept we cannot do anything in the moment, to wait and to constantly adapt."