Premier League return: Lack of fans will ‘free’ some players, says Dimitar Berbatov

Following a three-month coronavirus-enforced break, the English top flight resumes on Wednesday 17 June, with games set to be played without supporters in attendance so as to observe social distancing measures. While much has been made of how certain teams could struggle without their fans present to encourage them, Berbatov told The Independent there is the potential for a positive side to the situation. They’ll be more free, because they’ll be thinking: ‘Well, if I do a bad pass, there’s nobody there to boo me.’” The first Premier League game back sees Sheffield United travel to Aston Villa on 17 June, with Manchester City hosting Arsenal later in the day.