Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has defended Chelsea players and other Premier League stars that have been speaking against the restart of the Premier League amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Blues coach stressed that everyone would always handle such a situation differently.
Since the Premier League‘s 2019-2020 season was halted on March 13 to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, clubs executives in the league and other shareholders have been looking for ways to restart the season. The government in the United Kingdom has even helped matters as the country’s authorities approved the commencement of the season in June.
Recently, the Premier League sent documents to players and coaches in the league which contain the protocols that will guide them when group training resumes. Yet, some players like Manchester City’s duo Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, Chelsea‘s duo Antonio Rudiger and Tammy Abraham, have registered their reservations about the whole arrangement.
“Everyone will handle those situations differently,” Lampard told Sky Sports. “I think we have to upgrade that communication so players know what they’re going through, and then they can make those decisions.”
“My lads, I know – and I’m sure all managers will speak in the same way – they’re good lads. Their intentions and their feelings for their families are good. They want to get here and work. They can’t wait to get back and play football. I think the important part of my job at the moment is a lot of empathy with the players.
“You can’t just say, ‘lads, we’re going this way’, because this is a situation none of us has known. This is not a players’ strike, it’s not a player not wanting to train, or a player having an argument with another player, this is something that has affected everyone and their families.”
Frank Lampard says there is still room for Willian
Meanwhile, Lampard has not jettisoned the idea of extending the contracts of Brazilian Willian and French international Olivier Giroud. Willian’s contract will expire this June and there have been a series of back and forth about the status of the player at the club.
“The ones who are out of contract here have been great servants for the club, and actually have a lot of feeling for the club”, Lampard said.
“So it’s going to have to be something we have to look at, hopefully, we can make that arrangement can be made so they can stay with us.
“I would love the squad to look as it has all season, but we’ll have to see how that works.”
