Coach Thomas Tuchel’s frantic celebration with Kai Havertz’s goal in the 44th minute of the second half on Sunday perfectly demonstrated the pressure Chelsea have been under this week.
His team and the London club have been uncertain about their future since the British government imposed sanctions on the club’s owner Roman Abramovich, who is Russian, last Thursday and froze his assets.
Pure emotion! ?#CheNew pic.twitter.com/0MMb5oUwAB
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 13, 2022
Against the resurgent Newcastle United, bought in October last year by a Saudi-led consortium, Chelsea at times looked uncertain, lacking their normally fluid play, losing the ball and failing to hit the final pass.
But when Jorginho threw the ball and Germany’s Havertz controlled it with his left foot before kicking in with his right to seal a 1-0 victory, relief at Stamford Bridge was palpable and the celebrations exuberant.
“At halftime we talked about staying positive, staying calm and trying to play our football,” Havertz said.
Chelsea, European champions and third-placed in the Premier League, were granted a special license to continue operating, but with severe restrictions.
Tuchel said that in many ways life had changed less for him and the players – who were training and playing as usual – than it was for the club’s other staff, who are understandably preoccupied with their jobs.
“We have some circumstances that we can’t influence in some ways, it’s not so good … on the other hand, it gives you the freedom to focus on the things you can influence,” he told reporters.
* Reproduction of this content is prohibited.
