Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté was granted permission to miss training on Wednesday with the player fearful of the Premier League returning.
Step two of ‘Project Restart’ is being discussed as top-flight officials continue making ground on their efforts to resume the 2019/20 season in June, although several key figures have been outspoken in their criticism of the plans.
They include footballers, with the likes of Troy Deeney insisting he will not return to training due to concerns over his young family’s safety. Those worries have been felt by Kanté too, as The Telegraph have revealed that the Frenchman was given compassionate leave to miss the second day of Chelsea’s training this week due to fears of his own.
Kanté took part in Tuesday’s session, but it is claimed that the World Cup winner is not entirely convinced by the decision to return to training, with the rest of the United Kingdom remaining in government-advised lockdown.
His manager, Frank Lampard, as well as the Chelsea board are said to be understanding of his position and are happy for him to train at his own home. At present there is no timeframe put on Kanté’s return, but the club will continue to make their Cobham training ground as safe as possible and support Kanté throughout.
The 29-year-old’s concerns could arise from a number of health-related family tragedies; the Frenchman’s brother, Niama, died of a heart attack in the build up to the 2018 World Cup, while his father died when Kanté was just 11 years old.
Even the player himself has suffered health scares in the past, with one particular incident being when he passed out in front of his Blues teammates prior to the side taking on Manchester City in 2018, a match he played no part in. Cardiology tests showed Kanté had no heart issues, but the fright of the incident has clearly resonated.
It is added that Callum Hudson-Odoi also missed training, but this was due to him feeling unwell with something other than coronavirus and nothing to do with his recent arrest.