Chelsea star N’Golo Kante opted out of phase one training on Wednesday due to lingering health concerns linked to the coronavirus.

The France midfielder was among a number of players throughout the Premier League to skip small group training on Wednesday, which for many clubs was the first session back.

Kante reported for the first day of training at the club’s Cobham HQ on Tuesday, but declined to return on Wednesday.

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.

Manager Frank Lampard is said to be entirely supportive of his key midfielder’s decision and understands the 28-year-old’s apprehensions.

A number of BAME players across the league have been reluctant to return to training, although a number of players who originally threatened not to come back did report for training on Wednesday.

Office for National Statistics data states that black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as white people.

Kante, who is of Malian descent, has established a reputation as one of the best midfielders on the planet in recent years – and Chelsea will undoubtedly be keen to have the Frenchman available.

But the club will put no pressure on the player to return until he is comfortable.

Kante can complete home workout sessions during the period he stays away from the training ground.

SOURCE:- allfootballapp