Here are your Chelsea evening headlines for Tuesday, December 1.
Sevilla dealt double injury blow
Sevilla have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their Champions League contest against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
This week, Julen Lopetegui revealed that Lucas Ocampos and Luuk de Jong are unlikely to play due to injury, as reported by the Daily Mail .
The pair were crucial to Sevilla’s success last season, which included a Europa League title, with the former scoring 17 goals from the wing.
On Wednesday, Sevilla and Chelsea will compete to finish top in Group E. Both have qualified for the knockout stages already, but having drawn the first outing 0-0, the winner will secure the group victory as the first tie-breaker is the head-to-head record.
Ocampos and de Jong’s absence will aid Chelsea’s quest to qualify as group winners for the first time since the 2015/16 season.
UEFA make VAR decision
UEFA revealed that Chelsea’s Champions League match against Sevilla will be the first to feature a remote VAR based in Nyon, Switzerland.
Up until this point, UEFA competitions have featured an on-site VAR. However, after testing a remote method, UEFA will change where decisions are made via VAR.
“Since the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR), the majority of domestic leagues across Europe have been operating the system from remote centres, away from the stadiums,” UEFA said in a statement.
“While initially implementing onsite solutions due to the international format of UEFA’s competitions, UEFA has now successfully tested and approved a VAR remote technical solution, which is based at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, and will be implemented for the first time in an official capacity for the UEFA Champions League group stage encounter between Sevilla FC and Chelsea FC on Wednesday, December 2.
“The referee on the pitch will be assisted from the VAR Operation Room in Nyon, Switzerland by the VAR Tiago Bruno Lopes Martins and the Assistant VAR Luís Miguel Branco Godinho, who are both from Portugal.”
Frank Lampard issues Billy Gilmour update
On Tuesday, Frank Lampard confirmed that Billy Gilmour has returned to fitness and is now available for selection once more.
The young midfielder is yet to feature for the Blues this season, having struggled with a knee injury that he picked up in the summer. However, after a long bout of rehab, the Scottish prospect is ready to make his return.
“He is fit and he could probably do with some more match minutes,” Lampard said in his press conference on Tuesday. “He is in the squad tomorrow and it would be nice for him to get some minutes in these two group stages.
“He has a great attitude and will compete with the rest of the midfielders.”
