Chelsea
forward Tammy Abraham says he is concerned about the resumption of Premier
League football amid the coronavirus pandemic, because of the risk of
passing on COVID-19 to members of his family.
Top-flight players could return to training next Tuesday, they must abide by
social distancing measures along with government guidelines and will be
tested at least twice a week and 48 hours prior to each session.
However, this move is contingent on approval from players, managers, the
government, and Public Health England.
Abraham, who is living with his family during the lockdown, has revealed
that his father Anthony suffers from an underlying health condition, and the
England international is conscious of the danger that catching COVID-19
would pose to his family's wellbeing.
He told the Daily Mail: "The most important thing for me is for everyone to
be well and safe, and for things to start opening up. Then, by all means,
football can always come back. If it's safe to do so let's do it, but if
it's not then we will wait.
"My dad has asthma, so if I was to return to the Premier League and, God
forbid, I do catch this disease and bring it home it's the worst thing
possible.
"The last thing I need is to catch the virus myself or be in contact with
anyone with the virus."
The Premier League's restart date remains unclear amid planning for matches
to take place behind-closed-doors, and ongoing discussions between league
officials, medical experts, and all 20 clubs.
Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, said on
Thursday that the government is "opening the door" for football to return in
June.
Captains of top-flight clubs - including Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire,
Cesar Azpilicueta, Mark Noble, and Troy Deeney - held a meeting with the
Premier League and medical experts on Wednesday afternoon to talk through
the protocols which will be in place to ensure a safe return to training.
"If the Premier League does come back, I don't know what I'd do but the
hotel could be an option; to self-isolate away from my family," Abraham
added.
"I've got my dad's full support for going back. He just wants me to go back.
He's one of my biggest fans.
"As players, we've just got to be patient and wait for the clubs, the
Premier League and the Government to come to a decision about whether it's
safe for us to do so. We'll take it on from there."
Abraham's club and international team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi contracted
COVID-19 in March and suffered mild symptoms, but he has now made a full
recovery.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is a transfer target for Juventus,
who are intent on negotiating a swap deal for the Italy international which
would see Miralem Pjanic move to Stamford Bridge.
The Football Association has also launched legal action against FIFA for the
transfer ban imposed on Chelsea during 2019, which prohibited the Blues from
making any acquisitions in the summer window last year.
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