Chelsea news: Thomas Tuchel hails 'very focused' Blues performance after reaching FA Cup semi-finals

Planet Sport writer
19 March 2022

Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech against Middlesbrough saw Chelsea book their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Blues registered their third win in a week on Saturday afternoon, after they won 2-0 against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Chelsea tightened their grip on third in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, before travelling to Lille and winning 2-1 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

They then faced a difficult task against an in-form Boro side, who found their way to the FA Cup quarter-finals with wins over Manchester United and Tottenham.

However, Thomas Tuchel's side were in control from the first whistle, as first half goals from Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku secured a 2-0 win.

6⃣ wins in a row! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NOqClryHhQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 19, 2022

Chelsea have had to deal with the ongoing situation behind the scenes at the club, with current owner Roman Abramovich facing sanctions from the UK government.

With a new owner imminent at the London-based club, Tuchel praised his side's focus on the club's on-pitch performances.

"We were very focused, very serious, from the beginning we showed the quality in the decisive moments, and scored two early goals.

"Yeah, I'm very happy and I'm also very impressed. We accepted at some point the situation, we did not cause it and nothing we can do will change it.

"But what is in our hands is to stay focused, set an example."

The deadline for new bids passed last Friday, with a number of offers submitted, including from property tycoon Nick Candy.

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The process of a new takeover is expected to ramp up next week, and Tuchel hopes that the sale of the club is smooth and quick.

"I hope that the process will go through as soon as possible to clear the situation and give everybody an outlook to the nearer future.

"To calm things down so that we know with whom we are dealing and what situation we are dealing with.

"We have the right that things will be pushed as fast as possible, so that we can maybe see ourselves in a bit of a calmer situation. This is what we're hoping for."

The Blues now face a lengthy break, with the side next in action on April 2 against Brentford, before the first leg of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid later that week.