However, he missed Wednesday’s session with the full backing of the club and manager Frank Lampard.

It is unclear when the France international will train again.

The Daily Telegraph make reference of three factors that may have swayed Kante’s decision, including the death of his father when he was just 11, as well as that of his older brother of a heart attack shortly before the 2018 World Cup.

The midfielder also ‘suffered a frightening health scare’ when he fainted during Chelsea training in March 2018, reported to have ‘slumped to one side in the dressing room’. He was later cleared of any underlying heart issues.

The Daily Mail add that ‘sources claim the World Cup winner is particularly nervous about returning to action given the risks attached to playing while Covid-19 continues to kill hundreds of people per day’.

Kante’s decision came after six people tested positive for Covid-19 following the first round of Premier League testing this week, including Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan and Watford defender Adrian Mariappa.

Mariappa was among three Hornets staff to test positive and the 33-year-old had no idea how he caught the virus.