What the Coronavirus Means for Chelsea and Football

This situation we're in is unlike anything we've ever seen before. Millions of people around the world are being forced to quarantine and isolate themselves from the world, and sports fans can't do the one thing that would provide them some consolation: watch sports.

In football, every major league has been suspended indefinitely, including the Champions League, at least until this global health crisis called the Coronavirus boils over. While undoubtedly in a moment like this safety is top priority and everything else pales in significance, it does raise some interesting questions about what will happen to the season.

As of now, there are several different scenarios being considered. One is continuing the season into the summer, which would mean delaying the Euros and the Copa America until next summer. Of course, there is also the possibility of just scrapping this season altogether. Another is simply ending the season where it is now, and awarding respective prizes based on current league positions.

There was also a very interesting idea put forward by Man United legend Wayne Rooney, now at Championship side Derby County. Rooney suggested that since the World Cup 2022 will be in December, the next two seasons should start in the winter. This would allow the current season to be finished comfortably, while also preventing the interference of the World Cup with the European leagues.

Unfortunately, each potential solution has its flaws. The first would leave the date for the start of next season very unclear, as the players would need some sort of vacation in between seasons. The second is very unlikely as it would unfairly take away rewards that teams deserved based on what they've done this season. For example, taking away the Premier League title from Liverpool, being 25 points clear at the top of the table and two wins away from clinching, would be unjust.

The third idea would put an arbitrary end to a season which still had a quarter of it left. The top four race could be entirely different in two weeks' time, let alone in two months.

Finally, while it is compelling, Rooney's proposal is also improbable. How would the teams transition back to starting the league in the summer if a winter season passes August and September? Would they have to make a shorter season, or give players no offseason?

The most probable course to be taken will be the continuation of the season beyond the summer by pushing the international tournaments. So what does this mean for Chelsea?

At the moment, the Blues are leading a close race for top four, with only three points of separation between them and Manchester United. The Premier League plan to evaluate a potential return on April 4th, but the nature of the Coronavirus and how little is known about it means the league could easily be postponed further.

Chelsea have had many injury problems this season, and currently have EIGHT first-team players out; Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi (who also has the Coronavirus), N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic and Willian are all injured, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is still not fully match-fit. By the time the league resumes, all of them should have recovered from their injuries.

These injuries have forced manager Frank Lampard to give bit-part players such as Pedro, Olivier Giroud, Billy Gilmour and Ross Barkley more minutes, and they have excelled over the past week or two. The combination of the returning players with the reserves hitting form bodes well for Chelsea as they look to secure a top four finish.

However, this break will have the same effect on other teams, especially Spurs and United. Spurs are missing Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son, their two best players, as well as Steven Bergwijn and Moussa Sissoko, while United have stars Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford out. While Chelsea have been hit hardest by injuries, the return of these players will also reinvigorate the other sides.

Then, there is the fascinating question of Hakim Ziyech. Chelsea have already agreed a deal to sign him in the summer from Ajax, precisely on July 1st. He was supposed to be signed for next season, but now that may not be the case.

Since a contract has already been signed that says he is a Chelsea player on July 1st, he would certainly not be able to play for Ajax anymore after that date. But if the current season is still ongoing on July 1st, could Ziyech be allowed to play at Stamford Bridge?

Since he is not already registered for the season, the answer may well be no. However, as shown by La Liga allowing Barcelona to sign and register a new player outside the transfer window, the league has the authority to overrule the registration laws.

There is absolutely no precedence for a decision like this, but that also means there is no reason to not do it. After all, when's the last time we've seen the spread of an incredibly infectious and potentially fatal virus force the global shutdown of all football leagues, let alone all sports? It would be very harsh on Ziyech to say that he can't play any football for months after his Chelsea career begins, so it's very possible that the Premier League could decide to make an exception for the Moroccan.

If Ziyech is allowed to play this season, it would be a massive boost for Lampard and Chelsea. While he may need time to adjust, he would already be match-fit having already played more than half of the season for Ajax. His pace, trickery, passing, dribbling, and shooting ability are the reasons why the club signed him, and why he could be a replacement for the creativity of Eden Hazard, a player whose quality Chelsea have sorely lacked this season. If used correctly, Ziyech is a pure match winner.

All in all, the unwanted, unfortunate circumstances that have led to this decision to postpone the Premier League could be a blessing in disguise for Chelsea, although it may have a negative impact on the seasons to come for the football world as a whole.

What course of action will be taken remains unknown, but what is known is that we will not watch a live game for some time. What we don't know, crucially, is when we'll be able to again. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.