Thomas Tuchel's defining Roman Abramovich stance proves next Chelsea owner has one call to make

It was a nice touch before Friday's press conference began that Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill complimented Thomas Tuchel's admirable approach to some difficult questions over the past week.

Tuchel was grateful for the praise and then went on to conduct another engaging and impressive display that summarised why he has been such a delight to listen to since being appointed in January 2021.

This past week could not have been more chaotic or seismic to deal with for Tuchel.

Roman Abramovich announced his intention to sell Chelsea mere hours before Tuchel's players would kick-off at Kenilworth Road against Luton in the FA Cup.

As the club's highest-profile figure available to the press, a whole host of questions that he could not answer or did not have the expertise for were thrown his way.

But never once did he lose a sense of calm nor respect in his answers. Even at his most flustered when responding to repeated questions about the situation between Russia and Ukraine, rather than coming from a place of spite or arrogance, it was honesty at its most unfiltered.

"Listen, listen, listen – you have to stop. I am not a politician. You have to stop, honestly. I can only repeat and I even feel bad to repeat it because I never experienced war.

"So even to talk about it I feel bad because I am very privileged. I sit here in peace and I do the best I can, but you have to stop asking me these questions. I have no answers for you."

On Friday there were times for some self-deprecating jokes about his own future and the natural uncertainty that comes with being a football coach at this level.

"I love to be here. I love everything about the club. Hopefully, it continues. There is not an uncertainty, but isn’t it always as a