Frank Lampard is calling for Chelsea’s ban with Manchester City to be lifted if safety cannot be guaranteed following the Covid-19 uprising among Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Lampard says it is no surprise that football is in danger again after it emerged that Chelsea’s next two opponents have been hit hard by the virus, which could leave a headache at the Blues.
City, who were to host Chelsea on Sunday, had to ask for their meeting with Everton to be canceled on Monday night due to an increase in positive tests.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is in the dark about the status of the two upcoming games
Chelsea FA Cup third round visitors League Two Morecambe have also postponed their next two games following a rise in the virus throughout their camp.
‘We’ll see what the situation is,’ said Lampard. ‘It’s a prime time and a rough time, and we felt like we came up with Tier 4 coming in and the rise in Covid.
‘From our point of view I will find out more over the next day or two to make sure it has to be safe for both teams. If it does not, the game (Chair) will not proceed.
‘If we don’t play those games (City and Morecambe) we’ll keep working.
‘It won’t surprise me because the way Covid is in the UK is difficult for everyone and football is not very different. So we just have to see what the Premier League comes up with but safety will be paramount. ‘
The Blues are scheduled to face Man City on Sunday, but the club are beaten by Covid-19
After losing Boxing Day at Arsenal, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa on Monday night, although Lampard were pleased with the rebound from his side that had changed dramatically.
‘We wanted more but if we keep playing with the same idea we can get back to winning,’ he said after Olivier Giroud ‘s 10th career goal in 10 games against Villa was postponed by equalizer Anwar El Ghazi, his fifth goal in five games.
El Ghazi’s second-half goal came after both teams played after a clash between Jack Grealish and Andreas Christensen that left Chelsea a key defender shortly after a Matty Cash cross came into the box.
Lampard said: ‘I saw what I felt was a handball before that next to the lineman who didn’t give up but I didn’t see the challenge. [between Christensen and Grealish].
Pep Guardiola’s side game against Everton was postponed just four hours before he started
The Blues will also face Morecambe, who suffered a breakout, in the FA Cup
‘When things are going well it’s very easy. We were on a long journey without loss [17 games] and playing well and not too many levels up from what we played today. But when you run well the ball goes in the back of the net bigger – Christian Pulisic chances, the chances at the end of the game, the goal that happens when you get one down, mi -fortunate, whatever it is to call it and that’s football. ‘
Villa manager Dean Smith, who has fifth place five games unbeaten, said: ‘The energy levels of my players were amazing considering we only played 48 hours ago.
‘Before the game I had to focus on what was important – rotation and new legs or movement and confidence and in my mind it was movement and confidence.
‘I spoke to all my players, especially the ones who brought out huge numbers against Crystal Palace, and they looked me in the eye and said they were ready to go again. You have to have that trust in your players and I definitely have that right now and they don’t let me down, that’s for sure.
Lampard said he would discuss the matter in the coming days, saying football was ‘high school’.
‘We beat Liverpool 7-2, we beat Leicester away 1-0, Arsenal away 3-0 and now we have come to Chelsea and have drawn 1-1 to the we’ll know we can compete with the best in this league. ‘
Sportsmail understands that three of the City team returned positive tests Monday, following on from Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker ‘s advanced tests announced on Christmas Day.
City sources suspect the sudden uprising – now seven confirmed cases since Christmas Day – was triggered by Arsenal’s 4-1 Carabao Cup victory last week.
Although Guardiola’s team are believed to have traveled in and out of London on the day to reduce the risk, they spent time in a pre-match hotel and fear the new infectious strain, VUI-202012/01.
A change in the status of these two games could be a headache for the club
Everton have ‘fully revealed’ all the information City provided to the Premier League to make it ‘clear’ why their game at Goodison Park has been postponed.
Read terse club statement: ‘Everton Football Club regrets that tonight’ s game against Manchester City has been postponed – not just for the 2,000 fans who would have attended, but for fans on Merseyside and around the world.
‘Our players were ready for the game, as were both the team staff and everyone at Goodison. Matchday is the most important date in our calendar. And this was a big one.
‘While Everton will always have public safety, we want full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so that the Club is clear on why this decision was made. ‘