News

Chelsea squad self-isolate as Hudson-Odoi tests positive for coronavirus

The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout Premier League personnel increased in the early hours of Friday morning, with Chelsea the latest club to be hit.

The Blues announced via a statement on their website that Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m) had tested positive for the virus and that their training facility would undergo a partial closure.

Crucially, in line with government health guidelines, Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with Hudson-Odoi, which includes the full first-team squad, will now also enter into a period of self-isolation.

“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.” – Chelsea statement

Hudson-Odoi becomes the first Premier League player to be announced as having contracted COVID-19 but the virus had already hit Arsenal late on Thursday.

The Gunners announced that manager Mikel Arteta had tested positive for COVID-19 and that their full senior squad would also self-isolate.

Shortly after, Brighton confirmed that their Gameweek 30 meeting with Arsenal was postponed.

No announcement has been made about Chelsea’s scheduled fixture with Aston Villa, although this is expected to be postponed as well.

The football community now awaits the results of an emergency Premier League meeting on Friday morning.

The league had officially stated on Thursday evening that all matches would go ahead as planned this weekend, although this was less than an hour before the Arteta news broke.

In response to that, the Premier League’s hand was clearly forced and an emergency meeting scheduled.

What to do if you think you might have coronavirus*

If you think you might have coronavirus or you’ve been in close contact with someone who has it:

  • stay at home and avoid close contact with other people
  • do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
  • use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next

The 111 coronavirus service will tell you if you need to continue to stay at home (self-isolate) or if you need medical help.

* Information taken from the official NHS website.

1,032 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    expect to get real news in next 10 mins

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Boring! I prefer dumb speculation from morons.

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Me too. So what do you speculate? 😉

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          😀

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      how do you know it is real?

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        I've taken the red pill. I'll keep you updated.

  2. Joburger
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Has anybody made an early transfer this week? If so, who did you sell and who did you buy?

    1. Stu3y
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      I went Pereira to Robertson

    2. shaunyjames
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Pereira to Doherty, only as he is out for the season

      1. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        I waited on that and now can’t afford Doherty as he went up last night.

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Sold Lisa Ann for Kendra lust.

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Ings+Traorê to Jota+Sarr

        For a hit!

    4. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Sanitizer in for a hit

    5. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Ward prowse to Sarr

      It’s my first fpl season and I’m ranked 2 million, I think they should just cancel....

    6. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Ryan to Krul
      Dgw prep and money to get Alonso (didn't do it). Silly now obviously.

    7. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Brought in Giroud. That went well 🙁

  3. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Foam over fixtures guys.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      🙂

  4. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Would price changes be frozen for the suspension or would it just be like the international break?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Salah might cost 7.5 m in April.

    2. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Surely no-one is daft enough to make any transfers now?

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Panic buying of DGWers before they all go.

    4. Joburger
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Same as international break I would think.

    5. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Probably no change at all, but nobody on here actually knows so don't take anything as gospel.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        By no change I mean no change to the system. Price changes to work as they normally do.

    6. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Surely nobody will want to do transfers anyway?!

  5. Nellybc
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    I have 2 transfers this week, should i make 1 so i don't lose it or would i get 3 if it starts again as a fresh week ? Will i only have1 if it does start again as this week will not start ?

    I don't know what to do for the best...

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Save till you know what is happening. Won't be long now.

    2. Joburger
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      In the same boat. No idea.

      Simplest thing would be to get up to the original deadline to make transfers as many have already made moves this week.

  6. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Just cancelled the whole bloody thing so we can have endless fun and banter 😆 😆

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Watch liverpool fans meltdown in real time

    2. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      A fair compromise would be to cancel the season and give Liverpool a certificate of achievement instead of the title.

  7. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    I'm sure it's the same as others, going to really miss watching live matches.
    What classic games would you recommend watching, without spoilers?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      United vs Bayern champions league final - but I’m sure you know the outcome...

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Actually don't - my memory is absolutely shocking! I'll sit down and watch it later. Thanks

    2. Agger
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Any game Messi played in

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Utd Juventus second leg '99

      Roy. Mother-Fcking. Keane.

      Dominated prime Zidane & Davids, single handedly dragged utd into the final from being behind at a time when no English team had ever won away in Italy - all the while knowing he was going to be missing it because of the yellow card

      Still get goosebumps to this day - the man was an absolute goliath

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Fab, I'll watch it!

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          That’s the semi final before the United vs Bayern final 🙂

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 16 days ago

            The two both barca games in the group stages were absolute classics too!

            Two 3-3 draws home & away lol with Beckham at his best

            The Arsenal semi final was mental too - The Bergkamp penalty in 90th minute... THAT giggs goal

            There'll never be another season like it in the history of football

            1. TheDragon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 16 days ago

              Ye it was amazing amazing season.

              Stil vividly remember where I was watching the final

      2. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Not even a United fan but that is hands down one of the greatest individual performances I've ever seen and one of my favourites of all time. This x1000

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 15 days ago

          It was beyond awesome - we were privileged to get to see him play in his prime 🙂

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Escape to Victory

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Colby! John Colby.

        Yes. West Ham United and England.

        That's right.

        It's a shame the coronavirus has ended your career.

        Interrupted.

        Let's hope so.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          😆

    5. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      1980 FA Cup

  8. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Suspending matches, although unavoidable, has other consequences such as people who work at clubs on zero contracts. Spare a thought for them.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      This is going to be a desperately difficult time for those on zero hours contracts, small business owners and those in the services industry - the fact that people will stop going out of their houses coupled with a collapsing stock market it’s a tinder box for very very difficult times for an awful lot of people.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        I'm freelance/z-h with my work. Completely petrified. Thankfully my wife has a steady job but we'll struggle

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Any PL club hiring staff on zero hour contracts or minimum wage should be ashamed of themselves

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Sadly, never noticed a sense of shame being much of a priority of PL or its clubs.

      2. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Absolutely. However, that is how these massive businesses become so profitable.

      3. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Do you sleep?! Forever online writing posts no matter the time 🙂

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          Unfortunately very little

          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 16 days ago

            You still manage to talk sense though. None of this “league is getting cancelled, finished or voided” malarchy.

  9. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Looking like the League will be suspended until 4 April.

  10. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Damn. I'm gonna have to make conversation with those people who hang around my house.The wife and kids.

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      You don’t have to let them in you know.

    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      I know... Imagine being trapped with your kids
      Argghh

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      🙂

    4. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      To soften the blow, you should take the tape off their mouths but don't untie them just yet. Ease into the transition.

  11. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    All this does is delay the spread of the virus. Ultimately a waste of time.

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      The longer the delay the lower the peak.

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        with a later spike

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Yeah, the sooner we get it the better.

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      delaying the spread of the virus is the point.

    4. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Saves some lives along the way

    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      That's what they want. To spread the load on the front line services like NHS..... If they just let everyone catch it straight away the emergency services would collapse

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Exactly.
        Also a quiet admission of underfunding the NHS during austerity and putting our number of critical care beds below much poorer countries.

    6. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Well it will help our NHS cope due to the usual flu virus workload and a bit of warm weather may or may not slow it down.

  12. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Sky: all English Football League fixtures to be suspended until 4 April
    https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-english-football-league-fixtures-to-be-suspended-until-4-april-11956889

  13. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Adios Amigos.

  14. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    The EFL 1 and 2 teams are going to struggle.

  15. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    goodbye.

  16. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    All confirmed. Suspended till 4th of April.

  17. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Thank you and good-night.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Goodnight Shaky

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      But who will tell me my moves are stupid 🙂

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Thanks boys. Maybe time for one more before I go then. 😉

  18. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    British Basketball League Fantasy anyone?

  19. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    See you soon fam! Take care and stay safe!

  20. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Last one out, don’t forget to turn the lights off and lock the doors

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Damn. This hit me!

  21. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    At least I don't have to sell auba yet, as I would have done with just arsenal game off

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      I mean - at this point there are probably bigger picture things to be worrying about!

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        True, but they can be worried about on a non fantasy football site. Our worry here is fantasy football. 😉

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          As a Auba, Saka, Ryan, Button owner I’m very glad it’s not just the arsenal game off!

  22. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Which one of you made early transfers this week? I know there must be someone.

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      o/

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        What was the move? Still got a WC/FH just incase?

        1. Dacra
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          Did Rico to Taylor. With Burnley playing 31 + 34 this left me still with option of either FH 31, build for 34, WC 35 or build for 31, WC32, FH34.

          Guess im still fine.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 16 days ago

            You do know that the fixtures are in a complete mess now?

            None of the GW's will look the same from the 4th of April.

            1. Dacra
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 16 days ago

              Yes, but I obviously didnt when I did this transfer!

              Im still fine, because i have FH and WC I meant.

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Haha there are many!

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Sold mat ryan.
      Surely forgivable?

    4. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Oh yeah, I want my .money back fella

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        I raged out Firmino and KDB for Jota and Mane

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 16 days ago

          Damn. That's gonna be a hell of a long time to wait to see if it works out.

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 16 days ago

            Aye but all good given up anyway

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      None here 🙂

    6. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      I got Alonso in

    7. HTL
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Already used my 2FT. Have all chips bar TC still intact though.

  23. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    See you guys in July when TAA is surely 9m

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Sterling should be about that too next year.

  24. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    So guys if it resumes on april4 the fixtures will be April4th fixtures right?or gw30 fixtures?

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      It won’t resume, no chance

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Who knows.

      Not who as in the World Health Organisation.

      1. Ole.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Who are you, who who who who

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Good question

  25. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Guess the positive here now is that every team now will have a DGW or maybe even 2 🙂

    Hoarding chips for this long may end up not benifiting you.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Not necessarily if they just shift the Game Weeks.

    2. Joburger
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Could be a some juicy new options for the Triple Captain chip if the season is played out.

  26. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    So, if the league ever does reconvene, I wonder do they restart again at gw30 or gw32 and play catch up. Time will tell.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      If it's all behind closed doors, I guess anything could happen.

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      GW 30 and extend the League into June

    3. Unliklinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      They either play all the fixtures or cancel the whole thing, because anything else would leave them open to legal action arguing advantage/disadvantage. If the league does resume at a later date they could pick things up from gw30 or might have to agree a revised schedule with clubs in order to try to get to the summer break as quickly as possible.

  27. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Some a-hole in my cash (big money cash league amongst friends and colleagues only) , got greedy, decided to enter two teams, one under the guise of 'my wife's team' and runs nice little arbitrage plays to be top of the league with one team and in another cash position with the other. The only reason i'd be HAPPY if this does eventually get cxl outright, is for this blokes greed!

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Is his name Ruth?

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Dog of Ruth

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Would he not still be paid?

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Ruth?

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Damn. Too slow 😉

    4. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      He’d still be paid out though ...

    5. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Ruthless.

      If you know what I mean

      1. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 16 days ago

        Ruth, 🙂 Trust you lot. Well if the season ended now, what are FPL rules, does the 1st place get declared the 'Winner' or is it null and void (cash leagues pro-rata any remaining cash left back to all the players)?

  28. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Long considered a harbinger of bad luck, Friday the 13th has inspired a late 19th-century secret society, an early 20th-century novel, a horror film franchise and not one but two unwieldy terms—paraskavedekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia—that describe fear of this supposedly unlucky day.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Actually had not occurred to me at all.

      Voorhees (C)?

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      Triskaidekaphobia says “Hi”.

  29. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Kudos to Steve Bruce and Nigel Pearson, who got one up on Boris Johnson, for braving it.

  30. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    The EFL have confirmed the unprecedented measure after “in light of overnight developments”, ie news of the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi testing positive for coronavirus. The EFL board convened on Friday morning and have determined that all “football activity scheduled to take place this weekend and until 3 April will be postponed”.

    1. The Bonus Magnet
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 16 days ago

      I dont see how things can resume until after the peak n by then contracts will be expiring and pre season will be upon us...

      Eg. Lets say spurs vs man utd is rearranged for the 1st week of May and Martial, Bruno, De Gea, Ole, Maguire have yet to contract the virus....they could all miss that game. It could relegate a team who are forced to play reserves for a month...

      Strange times

      Ps. Anyone who does the draft grab kane son rashford etc while you can!