Chelsea supporters are in uproar with the fact that the Premier League have decided to reward Arsenal's Mikel Arteta with his second ever Premier League Manager of the Month award.
Thomas Tuchel, who had won two awards in this category so far during his time in England, was a strong contender to win his third with just how well he's handled all the uncertainty surrounding the club amid sanctions against club owner Roman Abramovich. "Before we discuss a new owner, a new owner needs to arrive, a new owner needs to be approved and allowed to own the football club. Then we can discuss whether it's necessary to discuss about it. Maybe, again, I'm not the right person because there is a process how you become an owner in this league," Tuchel responded when praised for his professionalism in the face of adversity.
"Of course, like I said after the last game, everybody relies on the reliability of the process and the values which are behind the decisions, allowances and commitment to own and run a club. Did I have a choice [to be an ambassador]? No, I did not have a choice to take this role. Do I need it? No, but it's more or less day-by-day. It's like this in England that not a lot of people in sports are talking at a football club, it's a structure I really appreciate. We talk inside and, of course, we have people who are in charge in different roles with different responsibilities.
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"To the outside, it's more or less me that talks. Was it always comfortable? No, but I think it's necessary. I don't think too much about it. I try to be honest, give you insight, and provide you with information, but more or less from a sporting side and coach's heart. This is what I try and what you can rely on. I am more than happy if things calm down and we can speak about football more than ever."
Despite dealing with all the off-field pressures that have piled on top of the club in recent times coupled with the German's ability to maintain Chelsea's winning streak on the pitch as demonstrated by their last six results in all competitions ahead of Brentford, the Premier League have decided to award Arteta his second award to level up with the Blues boss.
Arteta has taken Arsenal into a position where a top-four finish is squarely in their sight, and considering how they started the season, it is a real achievement for a club who are craving Champions League football once again after a prolonged exile. Both Tuchel and Arteta are set to be asked in their press conferences about their reaction to this news, but it's certainly safe to say that Chelsea fans are not at all happy with what some people have labelled an 'April Fools' kind of decision by the Premier League in this situation.
Here's the best of the reaction on social media to this news. @elston_mann tweeted: 'April fools, right? Surely?'
@JorgiCfc similarly put: 'MF ITS NOT APRIL FOOLS DAY'
@Ali_ib01 reckons: 'They didn’t give it to Tuchel because of sanctions smh.'
@ibeeyambursa08 summed up: 'Tuchel robbed.'
@ZiyechelseaF1 like many other fans demanded: 'Lmaooooo its still April fools right? Now announce the actual manager of the month as Tuchel'
One thing Chelsea and Liverpool fans can take from this decision on a positive note is that at least their managers will not have to deal with the manager of the month curse that has usually followed on from winning the award. Remember the Chelsea 2-5 West Brom game last term immediately after Tuchel had scooped up the prize.
