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Football London
Football London
Sport
Oliver Harbord

What Premier League's latest announcement means for Chelsea's players and return

Chelsea have been given permission to restart training after the Premier League agreed to get Phase One under way of 'Project Restart'.

The Premier League shareholders unanimously agreed to get the ball rolling on training, however it will only be in small groups, a maximum of five players, and no contact.

The clubs will be permitted to start training again tomorrow, with the league hoping to get back under way in mid-June.

The Premier League statement read: "Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small-group training from tomorrow afternoon, the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so.

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"Step One of the Return to Training Protocol enables squads to train while maintaining social distancing. Contact training is not yet permitted.

"This first stage has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, Premier League club doctors, independent experts and the Government.

"Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible.

"The health and wellbeing of all participants is the Premier League’s priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.
Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA and LMA as protocols for full-contact training are developed."

Chelsea allowed some of their players to return to their home countries to be with families during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, those players, including Willian, have returned to London and served their quarantine time, meaning they would be able to take part in training.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was the one Chelsea player who tested positive for coronavirus, however he also recovered from the disease.

Last weekend saw the return of the Bundesliga in Germany after its own hiatus, with players on the bench social distancing and wearing protective masks.

These are expected to be the same measures which will be brought into the Premier League should it come back next month.

After the Hudson-Odoi positive test, Cobham was deep cleaned and reopened, with it also in a working order to welcome back the players.

The first thing on Lampard's mind is getting his players back to full fitness as quickly as possible, with them having been at home since the last game on March 8.

Chelsea will be back in training this week and stepping up their preparations towards a potential return.

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