Pundit ‘amazed’ by Chelsea as ‘brilliant’ footage emerges
Noel Whelan has insisted the safe standing trial during Chelsea’s draw with Liverpool was “brilliant to see”.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed it is “about time” standing returns to English football after success across Europe.
Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday (2 January) marked the first game of the Premier League’s safe standing trial, with rail seating installed in Stamford Bridge’s Shed End and Matthew Harding Stand.
Anfield will also take part in the trial, with Man City, Man United, Tottenham, and Cardiff also involved.
Whelan insisted he is “excited” by the potential for standing to be reintroduced and claimed fans will feel the same way.
“It was brilliant to see that atmosphere,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It’s about time that standing comes back into English football. We’ve seen it over Europe for a number of years now and seen how it generates a much better atmosphere from those areas.
“We’ve got to do it right, making sure it’s safe – but I think everyone will realise the dangers and be very mindful of policing and regulating it.
“Everything will be monitored and clocked – and as long as that happens, I see no reason why safe standing can’t be here to stay.
“I’m excited for these new standing rules to come in, and I think it’ll be welcomed by fans up and down the country as well. It can generate such an amazing noise.”
The government’s Minister for Sport, Nigel Huddlestone, said the trial will “inform a decision on a widespread roll-out”.
He insisted that “safety will be absolutely paramount” in a watershed moment for the English game.
In other news, pundit claims Liverpool could have £60m forward bid accepted after a bank holiday update.