Chelsea news: 'Noise' not as difficult as some think, says Thomas Tuchel
- Planet Sport writer
- 10 March 2022
Thomas Tuchel insisted his Chelsea side did not find it hard to perform as they overcame Norwich City 3-1.
The Blues responded to uncertainty off the pitch to move six points ahead of Arsenal in third place.
Chelsea hit the headlines off the pitch on Thursday and were forced to close their shop following sanctions made by the UK government on Roman Abramovich.
However, Tuchel said it was business as normal as they travelled to Carrow Road.
"Not as difficult as some people may think," said Tuchel. "The noise is there and of course it is another level of distraction but still the [team] meeting was the same and the schedule going to the match was the same.
"But of course the subject is there, the talks are going on, so there is a certain distraction. The level of impact it has - the news of today is big - in time we don't know how big. We cannot influence it. That's a good thing or a bad thing. It's a fact.
"That's why we said in the end 'come on, let's focus and let's try to enjoy'. We love the game, we love the sport and we love the competition. Let's go for it."
Two Chelsea academy graduates combined to break the deadlock, with Mason Mount's corner headed home at the near post by Trevoh Chalobah to spark celebrations from the away fans.
It was 2-0 with 14 minutes on the clock when Kai Havertz found Mount inside the area and the England international opened up his body to create space against Ozan Kabak before he curled home.
Norwich's top-scorer Pukki stepped up from the penalty spot and sent Edouard Mendy the wrong way to score for the eighth time this campaign.
However, Havertz wrapped things up to ensure Chelsea won all three points and Tuchel believes they are in the 'race'.
