Thomas Tuchel yet to hear from Roman Abramovich after guiding Chelsea to Champions League final

Thomas Tuchel is yet to receive any personal congratulations from Roman Abramovich for guiding Chelsea to the Champions League and FA Cup finals, but insists the Russian billionaire will be happy with what he is seeing.

Chelsea could better their 2012 achievement by finishing the season with a Champions League and FA Cup double, as well holding on to a top-four place in the Premier League.

But Abramovich, who could attend the Champions League final if, as expected, it stays in Istanbul, is yet to speak to Tuchel, who he appointed as head coach in January.

Tuchel reports directly into Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia and, when asked if he thought it was strange that Abramovich had not made contact, the German said: “No, absolutely not. I’m in touch with the board, I’m in touch with all the people who are in charge and I have absolutely no regrets.

“I am pretty sure that he (Abramovich) likes what he sees and he likes the results, and this is what he deserves. He has built a fantastic club and I’m a part of this club. We try to make him happy and we try to make ourselves happy, so we have the same goals and everything. It’s fine.”

Abramovich personally watched Chelsea twice under former head coach Frank Lampard, once in pre-season two years ago and the second time in Krasnodar for a Champions League group stage game in October last year.

Abramovich attended both of Chelsea’s previous appearances in the Champions League final, in Moscow in 2008 and in Munich four years later. Uefa had planned to keep this season’s final in Istanbul but might be forced to move it to England because of Covid concerns in Turkey.

That decreases the chance of Abramovich attending, as he has stopped visiting Britain since a visa issue with the Government in 2018. Tuchel avoided getting dragged into the debate over where the final should be played. “I didn’t know that there is an argument or a discussion around it,” said Tuchel. “Well, honestly, I play wherever it’s played.

“I think anything can change quite rapidly these days, so let's be open. At the moment, we are preparing to travel to Turkey. I do not get involved in these discussions or thoughts because I have enough to prepare myself and the team for the upcoming matches.”

“I think that the final in Istanbul will be pretty unique, no matter what the score is on Saturday,” said Tuchel. “No matter if we win, or if they win, or if we play a draw.

“The challenge right now is to forget the praise, forget the positive feedback, don't get too much affected, don't get too much influence from that. It just clouds your mind and the target is to be totally refocused.”