Report: Chelsea's Kante excused from training over restart fears

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Chelsea star N'Golo Kante was given permission to skip training Wednesday over safety concerns regarding the Premier League's Project Restart, according to a report from The Telegraph's Matt Law.

Kante participated in first-team duties Tuesday as Chelsea commenced restricted group sessions at the club's Cobham facility as part of the first phase of the league's restart plans.

The Frenchman received consent to miss training from Chelsea boss Frank Lampard after expressing unease regarding his health and safety as the Premier League gears up for a resumption of its campaign amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Shortly before the 2018 World Cup, Kante's older brother, Niama, died of a heart attack.

Kante, 29, missed a match in March 2018 after passing out in front of Blues teammates at the club's training ground, though cardiology tests did not reveal a heart issue.

Chelsea attacker Tammy Abraham also expressed concerns about a return to training after conceding that his father, Anthony, suffers from asthma.

Watford captain Troy Deeney announced Tuesday that he would not return to training this week amid fears he could pass the coronavirus onto his five-month-old son.

A vote by Premier League clubs Monday confirmed a return to training with strict social distancing guidelines. The top flight of English football was suspended in mid-March following positive COVID-19 tests for Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.