Frank Lampard Warns Chelsea Stars Against Christmas Parties to Avoid Breaching COVID-19 Restrictions

Frank Lampard will warn his Chelsea players against attending Christmas parties amid the Covid-19 pandemic, though is sympathetic that his stars have missed out on team bonding sessions as a result of lockdown.

Chelsea found themselves at the centre of something approaching a scandal in October when Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham, along with Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, were revealed to have attended a house party in London. The gathering breached household restrictions, and each of the trio were dropped from the England squad to face Wales.

Lampard defended what he felt was an 'innocent mistake' at the time but is aware of his players' responsibilities as high-profile athletes. That's something he says he will be reminding them of as the festive period hits full swing - urging them to avoid the temptation of gathering for Christmas parties.

"I will have those conversations, I will reiterate to them their responsibilities," Lampard said, via the Daily Mail. "The Christmas party thing of yesteryear has pretty much mellowed now anyway.

"Players are so well followed in terms of social media et cetera, that the parties I might have been involved in back in the day don't happen in the modern day!

"On a serious note we have new signings this year, and a fresh squad in a way and we have missed the opportunity to go out more often and have dinner together.

"It's tough in terms of Covid, but it is the same for everybody, and the players have responsibilities as role models to people outside and to do the right things for their careers.

"Particularly when they are playing so frequently over Christmas they have to live differently to the rest of the public potentially, and focus, and that's hopefully a constant reminder."

Chelsea will face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday evening as they look to keep their title challenge ticking over. That comes at the start of a gruelling December run; they will go on to face Wolves, West Ham, Arsenal and Aston Villa before welcoming Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on 2 January.