CHELSEA star Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for coronavirus.
The entire Blues first-team, coaches and support staff will now self-isolate, putting Saturday’s match with Aston Villa in serious doubt.
Chelsea star Calum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for coronavirus
The teenager, 19, was sent home from their Cobham training ground on Monday morning after having cold-like symptoms.
He has not been back at the training ground since but the Blues also announced the main buildings, as well as several other buildings on the complex, will be closed.
The news comes hours after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed he had also tested positive for the deadly virus.
Arsenal’s match with Brighton this weekend has been postponed with the entire squad in isolation and the training ground closed.
It now appears likely Chelsea’s Premier League clash at Aston Villa, scheduled to kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday, will also be called off.
A statement on the club website read: “Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for Coronavirus returned this evening.
“Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible.
“We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also tested positive for coronavirus and the Gunners’ game with Brighton has been called offCredit: Getty
Chelsea’s Cobham training ground and several other buildings on the site will remain closedCredit: Google
Last night English football was in crisis as the league announced it will hold an “emergency club meeting” today to discuss future fixtures – with clubs expecting they will not play for a month.
The new’s of Arteta’s positive test came just 49 minutes after the Premier League announced that games this weekend WOULD go ahead as normal.
Arteta’s announcement prompted a U-turn by football chiefs to decide on the immediate future of matches.
Earlier in the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced at an emergency Cobra meeting that sporting events could be banned.
England star Hudson-Odoi, 19, is the first Premier League player publicly confirmed to have the virus, which has so far infected at least 596 and killed 10 in the UK.
A number of other Premier League teams have sent players away to self-isolate, with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers confirming THREE players had symptoms.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, his coaching staff and the entire first-team squad will now self-isolateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
SunSport also revealed how Man City star Benjamin Mendy has been tested after a close family member fell ill at his home.
The full Chelsea statement read: “Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for Coronavirus returned this evening.
“Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the men’s team building will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines. These will include initially the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff.
“It is expected that those who did not have close contact with Callum will return to work in the coming days. In the meantime, the men’s team building, one of several separate buildings at our training ground, will remain closed. The rest of our training facility, Stamford Bridge and our other facilities are operating as normal.
“Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution.
“However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation.
“Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible.
“We will continue to adhere to Government and Public Health Guidelines with regard to our facilities and staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning. We will provide further updates as necessary via the club’s website.
“We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus after he admitted to feeling poorly
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
