Thomas Tuchel praises Chelsea players for performing amid off-field chaos

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel praised his players for handling “another level of distraction” to win 3-1 at Norwich on Thursday.

The Blues took to the field at Carrow Road hours after learning owner Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned by the UK Government and had his assets frozen.

It meant Chelsea required a special licence to fulfil this midweek clash, but goals by Trevoh Chalobah, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz still clinched all three points.

“No, the evening did not feel strange. It helps to have a fixture schedule to arrive on matchday,” Tuchel said.

“It is what we do so often. This is a rhythm everybody is used to and it gives you a structure to feel safe. You have lunch together, you have a break, you have a pre-match or tactical meeting and then you go. It helps.

“Of course, there was a lot of distraction, another level of distraction with the sanctions and we could feel it. The players talked about it, they are aware of it and we accepted it, but the rhythm, excitement and love for the game helped us.

“We demanded it to work hard, to sweat it out and work together. It is the best thing to get the focus back and to enjoy what we are doing.

I think the team shows very good character and we can be proud that they produce performances like this under the circumstances- Thomas Tuchel

“Full credit, I think the team shows very good character and we can be proud that they produce performances like this under the circumstances. It tells us we are right to trust them, that the attitude is right, the culture at the club is right and we keep on going.”

Goals from Chalobah and Mount inside 14 minutes put Chelsea on course for a routine victory, but, when Norwich were awarded a penalty midway through the second period, the