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Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea face a season-defining week after admitting the U.K government sanctions are affecting the club's ability to close the gap on Liverpool.

The Blues lost the FA Cup Final to Liverpool 6-5 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes at Wembley as Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount missed in the shootout.



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The sanctions didn't make it easier for us to close it.



The club's inability to negotiate while Roman Abramovich remains owner is also preventing them speaking to prospective summer targets and Tuchel suggested this will make it harder to close the gap to Liverpool after four consecutive draws against Klopp's side over the course of the season.

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I think we reach now consecutive domestic finals, we reached the FA Cup final last year.
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