Fitness, focus, frustration for lockdown footballers

JUVENTUS midfielder Sami Khedira is learning to play the piano, La Liga clubs are facing off on playstation and Atalanta’s Robin Gosens has been revising for exams in psychology.

Yet as thousands of footballers, from the highest levels to the lower leagues, remain on lockdown while coronavirus spreads across Europe, all of them are tasked with keeping themselves fit, as well as entertained. “Everyone needs to be ready

so that when the health advice says resume, we can resume straight away,” Emmanuel Orhant, medical director of the French Football Federation (FFF), told

Nobody knows when that will be and there is little appetite yet even to address the question.

But within football, the absence of a deadline only enhances the sense of urgency. In theory, the season could restart in a matter of weeks and clubs are determined to be ready.

“Players may even need to get their summer break in now,“Brighton striker Glenn Murray told

Whatsapp and and dependent on both technology and trust.

“Every one of our players has been given the guidance they need from our coaches, nutritionists and doctors,” Real Betis head of medical Jose Manuel Alvarez said. “It is up to them to take it.”

“Players know if they don’t do their job they will be at a clear disadvantage against their teammates when normal training resumes,‘” Alvarez added.

In that sense, they are given no excuses. Many players already have gyms at home but club owners have paid thousands to ensure those without have all the equipment they need. Yet many clubs believe there is more to it than bikes and treadmills.

In Germany, Bayern Munich held their first “cyber-training” session late last week, when the players worked out through video-conference and then stayed online for an almost an hour to catch up.

In France, Lyon have told their players to rest until March 24, while in Spain, Atletico Madrid have done tactical work, with video meetings held between players and coaches to reinforce key messages.

“Of course some players are better than others at handling this sitation,” Jonathan Barnett, agent of Gareth Bale and Stella Group, told

“Players are human beings too and at the moment they’re very frustrated.”

Philippe Piat, president of FIFPro, which represents professional players worldwide, told “The doctors say 15 days off needs 15 days of training so what will it take if there are three weeks off? They were clear: don’t be surprised if there are injuries.” – AFP