Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tests positive for coronavirus as Frank Lampard’s entire squad go into self-isolation and club’s Cobham training base is partially closed
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for coronavirus as the illness begins to sweep through the Premier League.
On Thursday night, Arsenal revealed that manager Mikel Arteta had become the first person associated with a top-flight team to contract the disease.
Hudson-Odoi becomes the second, while three Leicester players are in self-isolation after showing symptoms. Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has also quarantined himself after a family member was taken ill.
In a statement, Chelsea confirmed that the entire first team squad and some of Frank Lampard’s staff would self-isolate after coming into contact with Hudson-Odoi.
The club have also partially closed their Cobham training base, seemingly to perform a deep clean to remove any traces of the virus.
Chelsea are scheduled to play Aston Villa on Saturday evening, but that game now looks certain to be cancelled.
In a statement in the early hours of Friday morning, Chelsea said: ‘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.’
