Premier League clubs have been given permission to play friendlies ahead of the season restart on June 17 but under certain conditions outlined by the league. Some of the measures put in place to ensure hygiene and social distancing rules are adhered to are:

• Clubs being forbidden from traveling for further than 90 minutes, though teams like Newcastle will be granted special dispensation if they have to travel further.
• All players must travel in their own cars, possibly in their kits.
• No official referees will be allowed, with members of coaching staff taking charge.
• Full risk-assessments of the stadium/training ground before games.

Meanwhile, all EPL clubs have begun considering how reduced numbers of fans might be accommodated next season when neutral venues could also remain as a back-up option to complete fixtures. Players are facing a crucial week of testing as any positive test would likely rule them out from the opening round of restarted games. All players and club staff are being tested for coronavirus twice a week ahead of the restart date of June 17.

Nigerian footballer, Odion Ighalo has agreed to an extension of his loan with Manchester United until January 2021. His agreement with Shanghai Shenhua officially expired on Sunday night, and both sides have now come to an agreement for the 30-year-old to stay in Manchester until the new year.

His agent Atta Aneke told online newspaper, Nettavisen: “We are nearing an agreement with Manchester United on an extended loan. The agreement will mean that Ighalo will remain with them until January 2021.”

Ighalo has scored four goals in eight games for the Red Devils this season.

“Ighalo will now hope to pick up from where he left off, after winning United’s Goal of the Month award for March with a stunning strike in our last match, the impressive 5-0 victory over Austrian club LASK in the Europa League. That last-16, first-leg game at Linzer Stadion on Thursday 12 March was a sign of things to come, as it was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That will also be the case for all remaining fixtures in 2019/20.” The club wrote on its website.

Liverpool players, led by manager, Jurgen Klopp led a sing-a-long on Saturday morning as their club legend Steven Gerrard turned 40th. They team gathered at their Melwood training ground this morning singing ‘Happy Birthday’ in a number of different languages, paying tribute to the Premier League great before their training session.

Dubbed as one of the most-complete footballers in the world in the early 2000s, he played for Liverpool’s youth squad and signed a professional contract with them at age 17. He left Anflield following the 2014–15 season having scored 186 career goals for the club, fifth most in Liverpool history. He then joined the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS). Gerrard played with the Galaxy for two seasons before retiring from club football in 2016.

After retiring from playing football, Gerrard became a coach in the Liverpool youth academy and managed their under-18 team during the 2017–18 season, before becoming manager of Scottish Premiership club Rangers ahead of the 2018–19 season.

The lads sang happy birthday for Gerrard at Melwood this morning 😄👏 pic.twitter.com/nhkbxC6HuZ

— Liverpool FC (at 🏠) (@LFC) May 30, 2020

Manchester United coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on Odion Ighalo loan deal. Albeit, the Red Devils are yet to make an offer to Shanghai Shenhua for the Nigerian footballer, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful the club can extend his loan spell so he can “finish off what he started”.

Ighalo, 30, who joined United in January, scored 4 goals, gave 1 assist in 8 games will return to China on 31 May unless an agreement can be reached to keep him until the end of the season. His current loan spell is due to expire on Sunday, and United remain in talks to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

He has been offered a £400,000 per week contract extension until 2024 by the Chinese club and has reportedly made a personal plea to the Chinese side to extend his loan as he is desperate to finish the season with Manchester United.

Also Read: Odion Ighalo desires to finish the season with Manchester United.

Solskjaer told MUTV, “The loan deal went until the end of May now, so obviously he’s supposed to be going back,” We’re in dialogue. They’ve been great towards us, his club, and allowed him to play for his dream club. It’s been a dream for him and hopefully, he can finish off what he started, hopefully with a trophy for us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed. Their league is going to get started soon so we’re just waiting to see.”

Staying alive is more important than football!

Chelsea FC star, N’Golo Kanté is prepared to miss the rest of the season once the Premier League resumes, due to underlying health issues and the coronavirus pandemic. The French footballer was part of the first day of small-group training at Cobham on Tuesday, but was granted indefinite leave starting on Wednesday.

Also Read: Hull City confirm two positive coronavirus tests.

There are reports that the French footballer has a family history of heart problems. His brother died of a heart attack two years ago, just before the 2018 World Cup, and Kanté himself suffered a heart condition scare months ago when he fainted during training.

The midfielder has been given permission to train at home and he has the full support of manager, Frank Lampard and the club’s board.  Chelsea and the league have also reassured the 29 year-old that all possible precautions are being taken. With this development, the Blues may be without Kante for their last nine remaining Premier League games, if the season resumes.