Chelsea: Premier League pushing forward because of pride and cash

The Premier League is adamant to return even if it does not make much sense on the time scale they envision. What will it mean for Chelsea?

The Premier League is roughly 10 games away from finishing for most clubs. It is hard to tell how much cash is really being left on the table by delaying things, but regardless the Football Association and the Premier League seem adamant that they will finish things as soon as possible.

But it is not just the money; it is the pride. As France and the Netherlands call it quits, the Premier League plans for a way forward. The Bundesliga was preparing to restart before delaying that idea, which is sure to only push the Premier League closer to a restart. Nothing like being the only show in town after all.

Except every plan for a Premier League return seems pretty ridiculous. The way it is going to be brought back does not seem to be for the right reasons. Just for the pride and money already mentioned. So what does that look like for Chelsea?

Dubbed “Project Restart“, which in of itself is pretty pretentious, the Premier League is aiming for an 8 June restart. Step one of that requires players to begin to return from wherever they are for a midseason preseason at what is almost the postseason. For Chelsea, that means Emerson, Willian, and Christian Pulisic will be returning to England as soon as possible.

Of course, a quarantine is expected to be imposed on people returning to England from abroad, so for at least two weeks those players will be locked up in wait. That is what it is, but that is the first hiccup this plan will face.

When games resume, it is expected that they will be behind closed doors. The staff and players are expected to get tested for COVID-19 before every game and wear face masks.

Ever run in a mask? Even the best ones will restrict airflow if they are being used correctly. For a sport of such fine physical margins, it could completely change how things operate. And if it does that, is it really the same Premier League when it returns?

Beyond all that, Hakim Ziyech will be with the squad but not really. The Eredivisie is done so his obligation to stay with Ajax is more ceremonial than practical, especially after 1 July. He cannot play regardless, but it would not hurt to begin integrating him early.

No one way is the right way for the Premier League to push forward. There are plenty of solutions. But if the solution is ridiculous, is it worth it? It seems the Premier League wants to return simply due to the cash they are losing and because other leagues either are not returning or are close to. The league wants to be the only game in town and the only league “brave” enough to finish things up.

That puts clubs and players in a tricky situation that they cannot do much about. Sergio Aguero has spoken about how players are “scared” to return. Returning for returning’s sake does not seem the right path forward. But that seems to be the path being taken and Chelsea will have to deal with that and the ramifications as best they can.