The Blues' Callum Hudson-Odoi was the first Premier League player to announce he had contracted the disease. It came just hours after Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta had tested positive.
Hudson-Odoi broke the news by up
Early on Friday (13 March), the England international posted the video, explaining he’d tested positive and since recovered from the disease, and adding that he would be ‘following the health guidelines, and self-isolating [himself] for a week
6,000 commented on the post on Twitter and nearly 16,000 on Instagram, offering words of support for the 19-year-old. Amongst those that wished the winger well were teammates Pedro, Willy Caballero, Antonio Rüdiger and Davide Zappacosta (on loan this season at Roma), as well as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. Memphis Depay, Jamie Redknapp and Hudson-Odoi’s Three Lions teammate Ben Chilwell also commented.
On the same day, Chelsea made a club statement on all its major platforms, announcing ‘partial closure’ of the training ground at Cobham, due to Hudson-Odoi’s case.
A week earlier, the club’s official Twitter account gave details of manager Frank Lampard’s press conference on the day. The tweet revealed Lampard had confirmed there was ‘no shaking hands among his players and staff at the moment’, as a response to the advice from the government regarding physical contact and how the virus is passed on.
Lampard says there is no shaking hands among his players and staff at the moment due to the coronavirus precautions. #CHEEVE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2020
Most Chelsea players have kept themselves off social media, as we continue to learn more about the virus every day.
The Premier League, EFL and FA decided unanimously on Friday that all football would be cancelled until at least 3 April. As it stands, Chelsea are still involved in three competitions.
They have the second leg of their Champions League tie with Bayern Munich to play, as well as nine games outstanding in the Premier League. The Blues are also in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, where they are scheduled to visit Leicester City.
Health is wealth! Stay safe everyone!
— Reece James (@reecejames_24) March 14, 2020
There has been talk of extending the blanket postponements in football deep into the summer in order to finish the season, whilst others feel the season should either end now, or even be cancelled and hidden from history.
Source : 90min