EPL players fear league return

• Posted on May 14, 2020May 14, 2020
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Premier League clubs have been told that members of their squads do not intend to return to training on Monday.

Sportsmail understands players have already privately expressed to their managers that they have major reservations about returning to work next week.

A number of top-flight clubs will hold video conference calls over the next 48 hours aimed at informing players about health and safety protocols.

The meetings will also give players an opportunity to air their concerns about playing ahead of a return to small group training on May 18.

And a number of players across the league intend to use today’s meetings to inform their bosses they would rather not return while the threat of the coronavirus remains prevalent.

A growing number of players have publicly expressed significant concerns about returning, Sergio Aguero, Manuel Lanzini and Danny Rose among them.

Clubs are not putting pressure on their players to make themselves available given the unprecedented circumstances.

But the fact many clubs face going into Project Restart without their full squads will be of obvious concern.

Players have also voiced their fears on a Premier League players’ WhatsApp group.

There is a sense among players that they are being used as political pawns by the government as they look to give the country a much-needed boost.

There is also frustration at a perceived lack of consultation from the government and Premier League with the playing community as part of Project Restart.

The concerns expressed on the WhatsApp group will be relayed to club officials during pivotal talks over the next two days.

Speaking on Sky Sports this morning, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said it was inevitable that some players would not want to return.

Carragher added, “That’s the biggest dealbreaker, the players. The Premier League needs to bring the players with them.”