Man City’s Aymeric Laporte insists football must listen to experts as talks continue over a return

Aymeric Laporte insists football must let medical experts decide when is it is safe to resume the season.

The Premier League held a virtual meeting on Friday to finalise plans for ‘Project Restart’ with clubs determined to finish the 2019-2020 campaign. 

The conference call involved all 20 clubs who heard the proposal of playing out the final games at 8-10 neutral venues as they reaffirmed their commitment to completing the season.

Aymeric Laporte insists football must let medical experts decide when is it is safe to resume 

But the Manchester City defender believes the game must be guided by health professionals before they make a decision. 

‘It’s different for us if we have to start in one week or in one month,’ Laporte told Sky Sports.

‘The news soon could be good, but the most important thing is health. 

The Premier League held a virtual meeting on Friday to finalise plans for ‘Project Restart’

‘We are waiting for news on what the experts say about that, and this is the most important thing. They are the best at doing this job, and they will try to make the best decision for everyone.

‘I’m missing football a lot – I want to play and train, and I think it’s the first time in my life I have not played for this length of time. Hopefully, soon we’ll be back on the pitch and in the Champions League too.’

While some Premier League players returned to their homeland to isolate with family, Laporte, like many other stars, remained in the UK. 

‘It’s difficult not seeing my family, but I enjoy being here with those I am with during quarantine in Manchester – my girlfriend and my cat.

The defender has already missed a lot of football after spending most of the season injured

‘I’ve lived on my own since I was 12 years old so being away from my home is usual for me. The most difficult part is not knowing when I will have the option of seeing my family again.’

The defender has already missed a lot of football after spending the majority of the season on the sidelines with a knee injury he picked up in August.

He returned to football in January but suffered another setback when he limped off in City’s Champions League last 16 fixture with Real Madrid in February.

But the injury was not serious and the centre-back would have been available for the second leg if it had gone ahead.