Yarmo – now recovered from covid
West Ham will be arguing against a “circuit breaker” in the Premier League season when the topic comes up for discussion at a chairmen’s meeting next week.
Our understanding is that they and other clubs will be ready to accept some games will face cancellation should covid infections rise but will be discussing possible stricter protocols among players.
It’s hard to see how they can be significantly upgraded but the feeling among Premier League insiders is that by and large the infection risk rises in the home setting.
They will therefore be offering as much advice as exists in a bid to make the domestic situation safer for players and their families.
Soucek tested positive
However, the Premier League’s strongest argument will be that we are dealing with young and ultra fit professionals who recover from the virus much quicker than most as a result.
Thus far David Moyes, Issa Diop, former player Josh Cullen, Tomas Soucek and Andriy Yarmolenko have tested positive at various times but all recovered quickly.
The clubs hold the view that unless there as a major surge they are in a position to keep a strict control over testing, and any increased protocol, whilst trusting the players to keep things as safe as possible at home.
The inherent Premier League worry is that once a circuit breaker is imposed it could become extremely problematical lifting it.