Manchester City confirm Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte test positive for coronavirus

While the 2020/21 Premier League season is less than five days away from kick-starting, the league has seen a surge in cases of the coronavirus as players return from holidays. It has seen eleven players in self-isolation as a precaution with confirmed positive tests for Paul Pogba, Tanguy Ndombele, Adama Traore and a few others. Furthermore, Goal has reported that Pep Guardiola has also been forced to self-isolate after he returned from a trip to Spain.

Not only that, in more news out of Manchester City, the club has also confirmed that first-team duo Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez have tested positive for the coronavirus. The statement from the club confirmed that both the players have been placed in self-isolation for the next two-weeks in “accordance with the Premier League and UK Government protocol”. This comes less than five days before the start of the new season although City don’t start their season until the 21st of September with them handed an extended break.

"Manchester City FC can confirm that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for Covid-19. Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus. Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season,” reads Manchester City’s statement on their official website.