Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Sunday, April 26.
The impact Eredivisie being cancelled could have on Ziyech
On Friday, the Dutch FA confirmed that the Eredivisie’s 2019/20 season would be cancelled, with the decision to null and void the competition.
Chelsea signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax earlier in the season, with the Moroccan joining up with his new team ahead of the start of next season.
Ziyech signed a deal where he would become a Blues player from July 1, but if Ajax’s season continued after that date, there was uncertainty over when the winger would be allowed to play for his new side - because he is not registered for the 19/20 campaign.
“After I signed the contract that was it – on July 1, I am a Chelsea player. I haven’t given it another thought,” Ziyech explained to Dutch publication AD.
“It’s nice for me to have some clarity. Nobody knows exactly what will happen to the transfer market. Clubs will be more anxious to attract players for large transfer fees.
“The question is when countries will really open again and I can safely start there. And then there is indeed the competition, which is played there. But I have no influence on that, I will see.”
New plan to end 19/20 Premier League season
The Premier League are preparing to use a number of approved stadiums to host top-flight games behind closed doors as soon as they receive backing from the UK Government, according to the Times .
The season has been paused since March 12 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with the whole of the UK currently still on lockdown.
However, the Premier League are planning “Project Restart” that will see the competition collaborate with other major sports to prepare a plan so they can resume their respective seasons as quickly as possible.
The report also claims that the sports will look to use a small handful of stadiums and the Premier League is top of the priority list, to stage matches behind closed doors.
Three cheap alternatives to Onana
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain and there have been links to Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.
However, football.london have come up with a list of cheaper alternatives to the goalkeeper, as the Blues look to potentially replace Kepa.
Thomas Strakosha of Lazio is the first option, with the goalkeeper being valued at just £18m, the most expensive of the three options.
Predrag Rajkovic, who is Reims’ shot-stopper, is valued at £4.95m and has conceded just 18 goals in 27 games for the French team this season in Ligue 1.
The final alternative to Onana is Mathew Ryan of Brighton & Hove Albion, who has been described as the “wildcard option”.
The Seagulls’ number one has been in fantastic form this season despite a struggling defensive line in front of the Australian.
