Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been told he would have been fired by Roman Abramovich in any other season after the Blues slipped to a disappointing 2-2 draw against Wolves on Saturday. Much was expected from the west Londoners this season but their campaign is limping towards a disappointing conclusion.
It is one that will not be looked back on with fondness if Saturday's FA Cup final clash with Liverpool ends in defeat as well, with off-field issues overshadowing much of what has happened on the pitch so far in 2022. Abramovich put the club up for sale in February before being sanctioned by the UK Government for alleged links to Vladimir Putin.
It left Chelsea unable to negotiate transfers and contracts, with Antonio Rudiger set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer, with the situation likely having had an impact on the field. Todd Boehly's consortium are expected to complete a takeover by the end of the month but Tuchel has been eager not to use the situation as an excuse.
