A deep clean has taken place at Cobham after a member of staff displayed symptoms
Chelsea’s training session on Thursday was called off after a person close to the first-team squad displayed coronavirus-like symptoms, throwing their preparations for Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa into disarray.
A deep clean has taken place at their Cobham training ground and Frank Lampard’s press conference is still scheduled to take place tomorrow afternoon.
According to Football London, a member of staff rather than a player who displayed symptoms on Wednesday evening and the decision was made before the players arrived at Cobham.
The story was first reported by The Athletic.
The individual has been tested but results are unclear. The deep clean has been described as a “precautionary measure.”
It is also unclear whether Chelsea will train as normal tomorrow.
“Of course, from a football perspective, it would be a shame [if games are behind closed doors or postponed], but the public’s health is the most important aspect in all of this.”
For now clubs have been told to continue with business as usual and to await further advice from the government. Prime minister Boris Johnson is chairing a Cobra meeting today and is expected to provide an update. Restrictions on social gatherings could be implemented, forcing games to be played behind closed doors or cancelled altogether.