Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba alongside Chelsea's Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Fikayo Tomori and several other EPL stars have been told to self-isolate for 14 days.
Pogba, 27, will miss France's Nations League game in Sweden on Saturday, 5 September and the home game against Croatia three days later after testing positive to COVID-19. According to France manager Didier Deschamps, Pogba will be replaced by 17-year-old Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
"I've completed, at the very last minute, a change in the list - Paul Pogba, who was previously on the list, unfortunately for him he carried out a test yesterday which was returned as positive this morning." - Deschamps
However, it is still unclear if Pogba could be eligible for selection for Manchester United Premier League opener against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on 19 September.
Similarly, Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard will be without eight (8) of his squad members and are self-isolating as four have tested positive. With this, a total of 15 positive cases have been confirmed across no less than 12 clubs in the English top flight.
This news comes on the same day that the UK government announced that the Chelsea were to form part of a pilot scheme designed to welcome football fans back into stadiums for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic first brought the sport to a halt in March. Lampard's charges travel to Brighton for a friendly on Saturday, with the Seagulls' Amex Stadium set to hold 2,500 spectators respecting social distancing protocol.
"I know fans and their teams can't wait to be reunited in stadia across the country, but it's imperative we take a cautious and phased approach to get fans back in safely," Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced on confirming the relaxation of restrictions on fans for the clash.
