• Sponsor Three have asked for their logo to be removed from Chelsea’s kit

Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea’s players could wear a “symbol of peace” in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after mobile network provider Three suspended its shirt sponsorship following the sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich.
Three have asked for their logo to be removed from Chelsea’s kit and, although the Blues beat Norwich 3-1 on Thursday while wearing the company’s branding, they are expected to comply with the request. Chelsea host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge tomorrow and Tuchel said it was possible they could fill the vacant sponsor’s space on their shirts with a peace slogan. “We can always wear a message for peace and it can never be the wrong message,” said the German.
Following the sanctions imposed on the Russian billionaire, Chelsea’s kit maker Nike are reportedly considering ending the reported £900mn, 15-year deal they signed with the west London club in 2016. Tuchel joked it would be a surprise if Chelsea had any kit to play in this weekend.
“Maybe the worry is more to find enough shirts that we can play in, with the sanctions,” he said. “But as long as we have enough shirts, and as long as the bus is full of fuel, we will arrive and we will be competitive. This is what everybody can be sure of and this is what we demand of ourselves and when it’s a big storm, you dig in, you are all together and then you stay strong and go through it. But messages for peace can never be wrong.”
Chelsea’s long-term future has been plunged in doubt due to the freezing of Abramovich’s assets, with stringent curbs on spending and the proposed sale of the club on hold. Abramovich is one of seven oligarchs targeted by Britain in response to Russia’s invasion, all of whom were described as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.
Tuchel admitted Chelsea faced an uncertain future as doubts swirl over how the European champions will even pay their wage bill. Chelsea fans chanted Abramovich’s name during their 3-1 victory at relegation-threatened Norwich as they tightened their grip on third spot in the English top-flight.
England midfielder Mason Mount posted a picture of himself with the message “For the fans!” while fellow goalscorer Trevoh Chalobah dedicated the win to “every Chelsea fan across the globe!”
But the upbeat words hide deep unease over what will unfold in the coming weeks. Abramovich had already announced his intention to sell Chelsea, with a host of potential buyers declaring their interest in a club that have won 19 major trophies since he bought the side in 2003. The government is still open to a sale but would have to approve a new licence, on the proviso no profit would go to the Russian, who has bankrolled the club to the tune of around £1.5bn ($2bn). In the meantime the London club will have to operate under the stringent new rules, which prohibit the sale of tickets and effectively place them under a transfer ban.
Senior defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are all out of contract this summer, with their futures up in the air as the club cannot agree new contracts.
Tuchel said he was happy still to be at Stamford Bridge but admitted the future was shrouded in uncertainty as he tries to focus on events on the pitch. “The situation will not go away — maybe tomorrow it will change again, but it will not go away,” said the German, who arrived at Chelsea in January last year. “I am still happy to be here and still happy to be manager of a strong team. I know there is a lot of noise around.”
Chelsea’s women’s team were also in action on Thursday, winning 4-1 at West Ham despite the distractions. “There’s no denying it’s a difficult day, but I think it’s important that we give it time,” manager Emma Hayes said.
The club’s official training wear partner Trivago said yesterday that it was sticking with Chelsea despite the “challenging” situation. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who said Chelsea’s wage bill was around £28mn a month, claimed in the short-term it would be business as usual but there could be problems further down the line.