The Premier League will be resumed in more than two weeks, but the clubs do not really know where they stand yet. According to Everton technical director Marcel Brands, little is yet known about the resumption protocol.
The English league has been on hold since March 13. Last week, the Premier League clubs were finally allowed to resume group training, after the government agreed to fight physical duels again.
Since then, Brands has not heard any new plans. “A script is under preparation, which will be released sometime next week,” he told the Sunday NOS. “That will include details about traveling and preparing for the race.”
The only thing that is clear so far is when the first games will be played again. For Everton, this will be on June 20, when league-leader and fellow cityman Liverpool comes to visit.
It is unlikely that that match will actually be played at Goodison Park, as it is a risky match. “It seems to be one of ten to twelve duels, which will fall under that. The stadiums are close together and in a residential area. That match is still being examined.”
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Everton is unlikely to play at home against Liverpool on June 20. (Photo: Pro Shots)
‘Work continues in a different way’
Until now, Brands has always worked from home, because there can only be a limited number of people at the training complex. They are all tested twice a week for the coronavirus.
“The work continues, but in a different way,” Brands notes. He now mainly fills his time with video meetings, often with other club employees who are also sitting at home.
In any case, the technical director is in a special situation, because he is dealing with players whose contracts expire in a month, while the season is not yet over. In any case, according to the temporary rules, these players may finish the season, but their future must be decided earlier. “It will be a special summer,” says Brands.
Everton is twelfth in the league with nine more games to play. The Liverpool team still has a chance of European football, but then the team of coach Carlo Ancelotti has to play an almost perfect end of the competition. The deficit at number seven Sheffield United is six points, while that team still has a duel credit.
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