Chelsea plans in chaos with 'eight players in quarantine' ahead of new Premier League season

Chelsea's preparations for the new season are in chaos with at least eight members of the squad forced into quarantine on their return from holidays.

Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori, who were all on holiday together in Mykonos, are reported to be self-isolating, along with Mason Mount, Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Emerson and Michy Batshuayi.

There are also reports that some players have tested positive for Covid-19.Chelsea declined to comment and refused to confirm the identity of the players in isolation.

None of the eight are in training at Cobham and they will have to begin their preparations working alone, as in the early days of lockdown.

Manager Frank Lampard has only three weeks to get his team ready for the new season, which is due to start on September 12.

England boss Gareth Southgate confirmed on Tuesday that “a number” of his 24-man squad, including captain Harry Kane, were in self-isolation under government guidelines. “There are others in a similar situation,” Southgate confirmed, having also selected Mount and Abraham.

Chelsea face Brighton in a friendly at the Amex on Saturday, where 2,500 home fans will be present as part of a government-approved test event ahead of the planned return of supporters to Premier League games from October 1. Due to their involvement in the FA Cup Final and the Champions League last-16, Lampard’s side do not begin their top-flight campaign until Monday, September 14, but the loss of key players will be a blow to the manager’s plans after a summer of spending which could soon surpass £220million.

The Blues have announced the £45m arrival of England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester, with the defender signing a five-year-deal thought to be worth £190,000-a-week.

Chilwell is Lampard’s third signing of an already impressive summer window, with Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech secured before the end of last season.

The trio, who have cost the Blues around £130m, are set to be joined by veteran defender Thiago Silva, who is undergoing a medical before joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Germany midfielder Kai Havertz is also expected to agree a five-year-deal, with Chelsea close to agreeing terms with Bayer Leverkusen that could see the fee for the 21-year-old reach £90m.

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