Chelsea had their request denied hours before kick-off at Molineux
Chelsea have had an official request to postpone their game with Wolves on Sunday afternoon rejected by the Premier League.
The game at Molineux, which kicks off at 2pm, was one of only four fixtures not to have been called off this weekend as rising Covid rates across the UK continue to affect the English top flight.
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea learned their request had been knocked back on Sunday morning – a matter of hours before kick-off.
Thomas Tuchel has a limited number of squad members to choose from and is reportedly considering using several players who are unfit to play to fill up his substitutes’ bench.
Chelsea lost ground in the title race by drawing at home with Everton in midweek, a game in which Tuchel was already dealing with a depleted squad.
Arsenal’s win at Leeds on Saturday was the only game out of six scheduled fixtures not to be called off. Most were scheduled at least the day before, though Aston Villa’s game with Burnley was postponed only hours before the game was due to start.
At the time of writing, Wolves vs Chelsea is one of three Premier League games to be played on Sunday with Newcastle vs Manchester City (also a 2pm kick-off) and Tottenham’s game with Liverpool (4:30pm) set to go ahead.
Everton’s game against Leicester City has also been postponed.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes are amongst those who have called for football’s authorities to postpone all games ahead of the congested festive period.
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