Frank Lampard ‘proud’ of Chelsea coronavirus effort while Spurs attract fury for furloughing staff

Frank Lampard has revealed his pride over Chelsea‘s proactive response in aiding the coronavirus effort. 

The Blues have were quick to offer their support to NHS staff battling the virus, providing food from their Stamford Bridge restaurants and offering free accommodation at their on-site Millennium Hotel to hospital staff working nearby. 

Additionally, club captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been involved with the Players Together initiative setup by Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, successfully getting his Blues charges on-board. 

Frank Lampard has spoken of his pride over Chelsea’s response to the coronavirus crisis 

The Blues have made Stamford Bridge facilities available to NHS staff, providing free food 

Their response far outperforms bitter rivals Spurs, who have been heavily criticised 

Chelsea’s impressive response comes at odds with some of their rivals, as while both Manchester clubs have also contributed, the likes of Tottenham and West Ham have been criticised for their lack of response and furloughing of staff. 

‘Firstly, I am very proud to be manager of this club, in the way Chelsea have handled it,’ Lampard told SkySports.

‘We were very quick to respond to help with the hotel. There is more work with the foundation, with link ups to getting in touch with fans, putting on tutorials, there are a lot of people who have stood up and put in good work. 

Lampard has brought positivity to Chelsea and their efforts continue that trend 

Blues skippper Cesar Azpilicueta has also been involved with the ‘Player’s Together’ push

‘Players will try and do the right thing and they just needed some time and I think the politicians jumped the gun when things were being prepared. People behind the scenes knew that and it was unfortunate a picture got painted. 

‘But a lot of players and clubs have stood up in a good way, not every situation has been perfect but in a good way generally, and knowing players, that has been a very good reaction and it’s on-going and it shouldn’t stop. 

‘And I think the reaction needs to continue. If there is a light at the end of the tunnel, if there’s something we can all learn, it’s how we give back and stick together. There have been a lot of good gestures that have shown that.’

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho was even forced to admit he had broken social distancing 

Chelsea players have been completing individual programmes from home to keep fit, with the club only keeping Stamford Bridge open for individual workouts.  

Meanwhile, Spurs’ PR disaster amid the pandemic even saw manager Jose Mourinho and players including Tanguy Ndombele flouting social distancing rules for a training session. 

After backlash over footballers’ lack of financial contributions, including criticism from health secretary Matt Hancock, players appear to have turned the tide thanks largely to Henderson’s programme, which has enlisted a huge number of top-flight players.