Premier League clubs working towards resumption of group training on May 11Telegraph Sport understands that some clubs are planning to return to group training a week earlier than anticipated
Premier League clubs are working towards an early return to some form of group training on May 11 as preparations step up for the resumption of football.
Despite France following Holland in cancelling the football season, top-flight clubs in England are continuing to plan for a restart.
While the Premier League hopes to resume on June 8 and give clubs three weeks of preparation, Telegraph Sport understands that some clubs are already planning to return to group training a week earlier than had previously been anticipated.Arsenal, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton have this week partially reopened their facilities for players to train on their own within strict distancing guidelines.
But attention is starting to turn to when clubs can restart some form of group training and the subject is expected to be discussed during Friday’s Premier League meeting.
The Premier League are likely to want to send delegates to carry out risk assessments at training grounds before the resumption of any group training.
But as long as the Government and Premier League do not block it, then some clubs want to allow their players to train in small groups from May 11 to make sure they are fully prepared for the season to restart.
Clubs could also ask the Premier League whether or not there is any provision to restart the season earlier, on June 1, if the Government gives the green light.
While the French Government cancelled the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons on Tuesday, Premier League clubs believe the UK Government is desperate for the football season to restart and lift the spirits of the public.
Rather than looking to follow the example of France and Holland, who have cancelled their seasons, the Premier League has been studying the German Bundelisga as an example to follow.
Bundesliga clubs have started to return to restricted group training ahead of a planned restart of the season in May.
Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre outlined how different training in Germany is now, saying: “They [the players] stay 10-15 yards away from each other, passing the ball, moving, and we go all the way to the goal like that. It’s even better for respecting social distancing than before.”
As reported by Telegraph Sport, Premier League clubs have also been made aware of a debate within the German Bundesliga over whether or not relegation should be scrapped even if the season restarts and is played to a finish.
Some managers of top-flight German teams are debating with their clubs whether or not to argue that there should be no relegation at the end of this season because the sporting integrity has already been lost.
The idea has not been formally raised with the league, but some Bundesliga managers want their clubs to argue that relegation should be scrapped. The title, European places, and promotion would still be played for ahead of an expanded league season next term.
Those internal discussions have been passed on to at least three Premier League clubs, who are now watching to see if and how the situation develops.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/04/28/premier-league-clubs-working-towards-resumption-group-training/