West Ham United midfielder Manuel Lanzini has become the latest footballer to question the return of the Premier League season, claiming it would be “crazy” to play before a vaccine for the coronavirus is found.
Lanzini, who moved to England in 2015 from Abu Dhabi's Al Jazira, joins fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero, Brighton & Hove Albion's Glenn Murray and Aston Villa's Conor Hourihane in publicly voicing concerns about the resumption of the 2019/20 campaign.
The Premier League has proposed finishing the season at neutral venues and without the presence of fans, however clubs first need their players to agree before a vote is cast. The clubs will meet again this Friday to discuss the best path forward.
Yet, speaking to Closs Continental in his homeland, Lanzini said: "It would be crazy to play again until there is a vaccine. If you ask me if I want to play, obviously, but you need to protect others. I would not start now."
West Ham, who currently sit outside the relegation zone only on goal difference, reopened their training ground last week for players to conduct individual sessions ahead of limited group training next week. Full training will return on May 18.
Talking about training amid the new restrictions, Lanzini, 27, said: “I have an hour to do the work that the teacher left me - I’m only with a companion at distance. In the club, we are with one or two people. When I finish, another colleague comes.
“We cannot use the facilities or the changing rooms; we have to be changed when we arrive. Tomorrow we have to do some work because they believe that the league will return, next week we would train as fives, and in two weeks, the whole group.”
West Ham have already stressed they will listen to players’ opinions before deciding whether to vote in favour of a restart.
