Chelsea travel plans for FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough changed as Thomas Tuchel handed boost

Chelsea have been allowed to travel to Middlesbrough for their FA Cup quarter-final by plane after having their travel costs cap waived for the trip.

The Blues had been restricted to an allocation of £20,000 for any away travel under the 'Russian Regulation' licence imposed upon them following the UK government placing Roman Abramovich on their sanctions list.

Chelsea were unable to negotiate the ability to sell tickets in time for the fixture, missing Middlesbrough's Tuesday morning deadline, before a dramatic Tuesday ensued where the west London side asked for the game to be played behind closed doors before withdrawing that request just hours later.

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However, the club have seen their travel cap waived for the tie after reports emerged the Blues would struggle due to the costs and logistical issues to travel to the North East via train. A 10-hour round trip on a coach was on the cards with the Blues having to make cutbacks. The Blues are said to have lobbied to raise the cap for a degree of comfort.

Kai Havertz said that players would be willing to pay their own way, describing it as 'no problem' so long as they can make it to matches. Thomas Tuchel will no doubt be relieved the club's issue has been resolved, having spoken of the issues that will take up time ahead of the clash.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Lille, Tuchel said:"We have to deal with it. We have some new things to talk about, like how to arrive at games. These are things that are normally taken care of by the organisation team and team management team. But now we have to stick together, have our heads together, give our opinions and find solutions on