Whilst most of the countries are slowly but steadily heading towards another lockdown, there are no major restrictions in the Balkans. Great success! 

1 hour ago, wizardous said:

Whilst most of the countries are slowly but steadily heading towards another lockdown, there are no major restrictions in the Balkans. Great success! 

yes i know this is not russian, but this edit is funny

Edited December 20, 20214 yr by azpi28

56 minutes ago, forbzy said:

Basically Premier League is telling clubs to use their Academy players to make up the numbers. In theory that is an option for some clubs, but it will probably then impact the U23 leagues and FA Youth Cup. For example a lot of clubs (ourselves included) keep the Academy players in a separate bubble to limit the chances of covid outbreak across the 2 squads. If you start mixing and matching you inevitably increase chances of a big breakout. Being that first team is prioritized you could well have situations where clubs cannot fulfil U23 fixtures. I hope under those circumstances there are no penalties.

I really don't see a problem with this. Clubs have in the past had to manage this way to get through injury crisis and fixture congestion. Frequently during a season academy players will be asked by the head coach to train along with the senior team. Its now upto us to manage our resources correctly, we have players playing in our youth team that would grace most of the lower Premier League teams, having two keepers and a depleted bench is a nonsense. Clearly yesterday our aim was to have a depleted bench( as only Jorgi dropped out) in the hope we got the match postponed. The argument as to why some matches were postponed whilst others not, should hopefully now be clear ( it does seem unfair). Vale travelled to Malmo but there wasn't the foresight to include him or a similar youth team player in the match day squad. Older fans will remember David Webb turning out for us at keeper one Christmas, we didn't have one available...what did we do we managed, we won...clean sheet too!

1 minute ago, charierre said:

I really don't see a problem with this. Clubs have in the past had to manage this way to get through injury crisis and fixture congestion. Frequently during a season academy players will be asked by the head coach to train along with the senior team. Its now upto us to manage our resources correctly, we have players playing in our youth team that would grace most of the lower Premier League teams, having two keepers and a depleted bench is a nonsense. Clearly yesterday our aim was to have a depleted bench( as only Jorgi dropped out) in the hope we got the match postponed. The argument as to why some matches were postponed whilst others not, should hopefully now be clear ( it does seem unfair). Vale travelled to Malmo but there wasn't the foresight to include him or a similar youth team player in the match day squad. Older fans will remember David Webb turning out for us at keeper one Christmas, we didn't have one available...what did we do we managed, we won...clean sheet too!

Indeed, I think we should be including youth players and make the best of it we can. 

Who's to say the league don't turn around and say other sides are playing youth players and you chose not to, here is a 0-3 loss forfit for you?

just stick Jude Soonsup-Bell up front or Fiabema, i would love to see it 

1 hour ago, Munkworth said:

So many post to quote so here’s a generic response to Americans and their use of the English language just for @Phillip
 

No, don't worry.  Having been on this forum and the predecessor forum (Paul's forum?) for God's knows how long, I know all the English expressions by now, such as 'chuffed', which 99.99% of Americans have no clue what that means.  Continue on as if I'm not here.

I thought cancelling just one round of matches was kinda missing the point anyway.

It either needed to be a good couple of weeks or forget it.

I'm okay with using academy players, it's one of the reasons they are there for.

I'd actually like us to do it more often - we've got a good enough academy.

Jude Soonsup Bell can't be any worse a number 9 than Pulisic surely...

1 minute ago, 2211 said:

I thought cancelling just one round of matches was kinda missing the point anyway.

It either needed to be a good couple of weeks or forget it.

I'm okay with using academy players, it's one of the reasons they are there for.

I'd actually like us to do it more often - we've got a good enough academy.

Jude Soonsup Bell can't be any worse a number 9 than Pulisic surely...

I actually believe that given the size of bench now at least two players should be included that are under 21 from the academy. 

everyone with a hyphenated last name should be on the bench; Soonsup-Bell, Mendel-Idowu, Silcott-Duberry, Rak-Sakyi, Bradley-Morgan and Sharman-Lowe

and my favourite last name: Castledine 

Edited December 20, 20214 yr by azpi28

1 hour ago, forbzy said:

Basically Premier League is telling clubs to use their Academy players to make up the numbers. In theory that is an option for some clubs, but it will probably then impact the U23 leagues and FA Youth Cup. For example a lot of clubs (ourselves included) keep the Academy players in a separate bubble to limit the chances of covid outbreak across the 2 squads. If you start mixing and matching you inevitably increase chances of a big breakout. Being that first team is prioritized you could well have situations where clubs cannot fulfil U23 fixtures. I hope under those circumstances there are no penalties.

We have a big academy, we can mix 'n' match from the first team til the under-8s. And that's just the little boys and the big boys 

2 hours ago, bluehaze said:

As someone who only today finished self isolating and two of my family still are and one hasn't got her sense of taste and smell back let me just say as someone who's supported Chelsea for 51 years football is trivial compared to real life events and anyone who says different is a prick.

I'm pleased to hear you're out of isolation, bluehaze.

Most of probably know for supporters football is just a sideshow in life (and sometimes a nice diversion from that life, too). Some also earn a living from it, not the uberrich players, but the people who make a match possible and enjoyable. 

But I get your point, don't worry.

27 minutes ago, Phillip said:

No, don't worry.  Having been on this forum and the predecessor forum (Paul's forum?) for God's knows how long, I know all the English expressions by now, such as 'chuffed', which 99.99% of Americans have no clue what that means.  Continue on as if I'm not here.

Alright mush, don’t want you to feel like a dinlo!

This is not an injury crisis, though, is it? It is a highly infectious disease sweeping across teams, with potentially fatal consequences (not only hospitalisation, which is unlikely in players case, but long covid issues). On the other hand, when have teams had 8, 9 starting players out injured. Yes, calling a young keeper because you haven’t got one senior is not the same as having to call on half a team, with the added possibility of increasing the transmission circuit of the virus. A circuit breaker is required, plus I think that vaccination of players and people in the club should be a primary concern for the FA and PL.

Plus, we have the Saul issue, having to play him should be a reason to postpone all our matches until suitable players are available 

57 minutes ago, charierre said:

I actually believe that given the size of bench now at least two players should be included that are under 21 from the academy. 

Exactly. Unless the youth have an outbreak of their own then get them involved.

1 hour ago, azpi28 said:

everyone with a hyphenated last name should be on the bench; Soonsup-Bell, Mendel-Idowu, Silcott-Duberry, Rak-Sakyi, Bradley-Morgan and Sharman-Lowe

and my favourite last name: Castledine 

Another Duberry in a Chelsea shirt? 😉

29 minutes ago, RMH said:

This is not an injury crisis, though, is it? It is a highly infectious disease sweeping across teams, with potentially fatal consequences (not only hospitalisation, which is unlikely in players case, but long covid issues). On the other hand, when have teams had 8, 9 starting players out injured. Yes, calling a young keeper because you haven’t got one senior is not the same as having to call on half a team, with the added possibility of increasing the transmission circuit of the virus. A circuit breaker is required, plus I think that vaccination of players and people in the club should be a primary concern for the FA and PL.

Plus, we have the Saul issue, having to play him should be a reason to postpone all our matches until suitable players are available 

vaccinating the players will not prevent them from testing positive, it will also be difficult legally to force vaccinations on players, + most of them already had and recovered from covid so they would already have some sort of protection  

Edited December 20, 20214 yr by azpi28

17 minutes ago, azpi28 said:

vaccinating the players will not prevent them from testing positive, it will also be difficult legally to force vaccinations on players, + most of them already had and recovered from covid so they would already have some sort of protection  

While vaccination does not prevent players from testing positive, I believe it does allow them to return to the squad quicker. Certainly for players who are in contact with those that test positive, they don't have to isolate for as long.

2 minutes ago, forbzy said:

While vaccination does not prevent players from testing positive, I believe it does allow them to return to the squad quicker. Certainly for players who are in contact with those that test positive, they don't have to isolate for as long.

do vaccinated players have to isolate under 10 days? even when they test positive? 

2 hours ago, azpi28 said:

yes i know this is not russian, but this edit is funny

Hahahahahahah I nearly forgot about this one, the original is actually Croatian. To this day I am still fascinated by the fact he never looked like dropping that cigarette.

3 minutes ago, azpi28 said:

do vaccinated players have to isolate under 10 days? even when they test positive? 

I'm not 100% of the rules when they test positive. But I know they can return to the squad quicker if they were in contact but test negative

17 hours ago, Santa said:

I always find it funny how Americans label us as 'Brits'. I don't think many realise there are actually a few countries involved other than England, one even has its own separate language, well, actually two, unless you can understand what Scot's say.

It's good to see you posting a lot anyway @Phillip Someone even wheeled Loz out in another thread too.

PS: I didn't mean that Scot's members, I'm not up for a Glaswegian Kiss, just a bowfin sassenach lavvy heid, Awa’ n bile your head! Aye!

Nothing pisses me off more than when Americans say he has a British accent like there's only one and we all speak like Jacob Rees Mug.

13 hours ago, forbzy said:

I'm not 100% of the rules when they test positive. But I know they can return to the squad quicker if they were in contact but test negative

Did you know that once you test positive you're not supposed to have another test for 90 days. I thought it was bollocks so I rang up 119 and it's absolutely true. Don't know if football clubs adhere to this but it seems weird that someone can rejoin any work force frankly after 10 days without retesting.

15 hours ago, Valerie said:

I'm pleased to hear you're out of isolation, bluehaze.

Most of probably know for supporters football is just a sideshow in life (and sometimes a nice diversion from that life, too). Some also earn a living from it, not the uberrich players, but the people who make a match possible and enjoyable. 

But I get your point, don't worry.

Cheers. I do think clubs are going to be down to the bare bones and one manager is going to show how ludicrous it is by bringing on a 16 year old keeper and playing him on the wing my money is on Bielsa 😆

Have already posted this elsewhere but thought I'd post here as well.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/12/23/important-information-for-fans-attending-brighton-home-game---de

Supporters attending Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge should read the below information following the introduction of the Government’s ‘Autumn and Winter Plan B’ and the Premier League confirming requirements for all fans attending Premier League matches.

In a change from procedures for our earlier home games this season, all those aged 18 and over attending our Premier League home match against Brighton on 29 December must complete a Covid status self-declaration using the form below ahead of matchday. This simple online process requires fans to confirm they have a valid NHS Covid pass or negative NHS Covid test within the previous 48 hours.

In addition and as before this season, supporters attending our home matches must provide evidence they are at low risk of transmitting Covid-19, either through proof of full Covid-19 vaccination (with both doses received at least 14 days prior to the match) or proof of a negative PCR or Lateral Flow Test (from age 11 and over) carried out within 48 hours of the fixture kicking off.

In addition, supporters will be required to wear masks in all indoor areas of the stadium, including the concourses, except when they are eating or drinking. Masks are not required when seated or walking outside the stadium, but they are recommended.

Supporters must not attend matches if they have any Covid-type symptoms or there is a risk of passing on Covid-19.

With the club’s enhanced security and medical screening protocols enforced, we encourage all supporters to arrive at the stadium in good time to avoid any potential delays upon entry.

Please understand that these standards apply to all supporters and that anyone who refuses this process will not be permitted to enter.

Thank you for your help and co-operation in helping to make Stamford Bridge a safer and more enjoyable experience.