REVEALED: Premier League clubs are considering segregating players at training grounds based on their vaccination status this winter in a bid to prevent outbreaks of Covid
- English clubs are exploring ways of restricting the impact of a Covid spike
- This includes the idea of separating players according to their vaccination status
- It comes after N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were forced to miss Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America due to their vaccination status
- Clubs are now looking at ways of reducing the chance of an outbreak in winter
- One source claims player segregation at training grounds is being considered
English clubs are exploring ways of restricting the impact of a Covid spike, including the idea of separating players according to their vaccination status.
The issue is back under the spotlight after Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were forced to miss the club’s tour of America due to their vaccination status.
On Monday, it emerged Crystal Palace were taking just 10 senior outfield players on their tour of Singapore and Australia.
Key men Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise are among those staying behind.
The Eagles are not revealing whether those not travelling cannot make the trip because they are unvaccinated, instead saying absent players do not meet the entry requirements or are ‘not currently fit’.
Players’ vaccination status has become a key factor in Premier League and EFL clubs’ summer transfer business as teams look to avoid problems next season, particularly in the winter months when Covid levels are expected to rise.
Chelsea midfielders N’Golo Kante (left) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (right) will miss their pre-season tour of the United States because of their Covid-19 vaccination status
At Palace, wingers Wilfried Zaha (left) and Michael Olise (right) were both left behind in the UK
And some clubs are considering ways of reducing the chance of an outbreak, with one source saying that segregation at training grounds is an option.
Sportsmail has also learned that clubs are leaning on agents to urge unvaccinated players to reconsider their stance ahead of next season.
There could also be issues for players at the World Cup this winter, with Qatar’s current entry rules stating that all unvaccinated foreign visitors must self-isolate in a hotel for five days.
If the rules are not softened, players such as France midfielder Kante could be affected.
English clubs are now looking at ways of reducing the chance of an outbreak this winter, with segregation at training grounds based on players’ vaccination status being considered
Wolves star Raul Jimenez gives the thumbs up as he receives his booster jab back in December
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