Three options for Premier League teams to deal with players on expiring contracts — report

Chelsea players Willian, Pedro, Olivier Giroud, and Wilfredo Caballero are just four of the countless Premier League players whose contracts are set to expire on June 30. And while some of them could be offered new extensions before then, that date looms as one of the biggest financial complications to any sort of restart plan by the league.

How will teams and players be able to handle this situation? Talks regarding those options are now beginning — the bigger issues were (and are) the actual physical and medical logistics of playing again — and according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, there are three broad options on the table for now.

1. A temporary “season 2019-20 contract extension” at the same rate, with a duration as long as needed to finish out the season
2. A proper new extension for however many years and at whatever amount of compensation
3. Confirm “no offer”, which would allow players to negotiate with other teams starting on June 24.

None of the three are exactly revolutionary options, but common sense is often the best way forward.

The third option is a bit confusing since players on expiring contracts have been free to negotiate with new teams since January (i.e. the Bosman ruling), but essentially, teams (and players) will have the option to extend contracts temporarily (either week-to-week to month-to-month), extend contracts permanently (a normal contract extension), or let players go for free.

(POSSIBLE CLARIFICATION: The Bosman ruling only applies to negotiations with teams in foreign leagues, not the same league, which where June 24 comes in.)

The plans could be complicated by players and agents pushing their own personal agendas, but what else is new? The league will apparently provide additional insurance for players in case of injury during the temporary extension period, to try to ease that concern.

Further complications could arise from teams being unreasonable, like insisting on loan players returning before June 30. The only way this will work is if all sides can put aside their personal interests for a minute and agree on a solution that benefits all.

The Premier League’s tentative plans confirm other common sense items as well, including Hakim Ziyech being unable to feature until the official start of next season.