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NGolo Kante news and gossip - allEPL.com

Kante allowed to miss training due to Covid19 fears

Posted on May 21, 2020May 27, 2020 by allepl

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante was allowed to miss training on Wednesday after expressing concerns over the safety of a return to action amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Kante trained on Tuesday as Chelsea and a number of other Premier League clubs resumed non-contact sessions in the first major step towards a resumption of games.

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.

Manchester United - Cornavirus has cost £28million

Manchester United – Coronavirus cost the clu b £28million

Posted on May 21, 2020May 27, 2020 by allepl

Manchester United were fifth in the Premier League when play was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic

Manchester United say the coronavirus pandemic has cost them an initial £28m and expect the final figure to be far higher.

United revealed their third-quarter results to 31 March on Thursday.

Chief financial officer Cliff Baty said they are set to hand back £20m in TV revenue to broadcasters even if the Premier League season is completed.

United lost an additional £8m over the final three weeks of March, when they had three matches postponed.

A total of 11 United matches have been postponed because of the pandemic.

Speaking in a conference call after the latest financial results were released, Baty explained that Premier League television broadcasters would get £20m back from the club because of changes in dates and kick-off times resulting from the pandemic.

With games called off – including matches in the Europa League and FA Cup – Baty said that sponsorship revenues had “contracted”, and that retail sales had been “impacted” with the club store at Old Trafford still closed.

He added that matchday revenues were “significantly impacted”, with an acceptance games will be played behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

Postponement of Tottenham game ‘cost £4m’

United have refused to put a figure on what the anticipated overall financial cost of the pandemic will be ultimately – but executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the major burden would fall in the current quarter, which runs to 30 June.

“Our third-quarter results reflect a partial impact that the pandemic has had on the club but the greater impact will be in the current quarter and likely beyond,” said Woodward.

Revenues for the quarter fell by 18.7% to £123.7m. The club’s debt rose by £124.4m to £429.1m following a fluctuation of the exchange rate.

Baty said the postponement of the Premier League trip to Tottenham on 15 March cost United £4m alone.

“These are unprecedented times and we must recognise that this crisis will not disappear overnight,” said Woodward.

“However, our club is built on a solid foundation. We remain firmly optimistic about the long-term prospects for the club once we have worked our way through what is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary and testing periods in the 142-year history of Manchester United.”