Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has revealed that the players were not prepared for Roman Abramovich's announcement that he would be selling the club.
Abramovich took the decision to put the Blues up for sale on Wednesday evening, confirming the move in a statement released less than an hour before kick-off in their FA Cup fifth round with Luton.
The Russian will have no doubt been relieved to see Thomas Tuchel's side come from behind twice to win 3-2 and book their place in the quarter-finals.
After the game, Tuchel revealed that he did not find out about his boss's decision until shortly before the rest of the world.
"Maybe I heard it a little bit earlier than you but still it was very close to kick-off," he told the BBC.
"But we heard the rumours throughout the day and on TV. When we have team meetings and we eat together, the guys talk about it, everybody talks about it.
"It is big news. Let's wait and see and hope for the best and see what the day brings. I think every decision he [Abramovich] takes is the right decision. It's his choice, it's his club. That's not on me to comment."
Abramovich has been in charge at Stamford Bridge since 2003 and has led the club through their most trophy-laiden period, winning 19 trophies in that time.
But Kante admitted that the players were left stunned by such big news and moved to reassure fans that he and his teammates' focus will remain entirely on the field.
"We were not prepared. It came quick," Kante said in an interview with Sky Sports News.
"The only thing we can do, because we don't control these things, is play football for us, for the club and for the fans. It is the only thing we control."
