Call’s max power for the Euros
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI claims his Euro 2020 dream is alive again after its postponement until next year.
The Chelsea winger, who insists his recent bout of Covid-19 “has cleared now” was running out of time to be fit for this summer’s finals.
But now that the tournament has been rescheduled for the summer of 2021, he already has his sights set on becoming an England regular in time to star in it.
The 19-year-old was targeting a comeback from his hamstring injury later this month before his positive test for the virus.
But he now has more time to force his way firmly into Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate’s plans.
Hudson-Odoi said: “For me it is an opportunity to show again and keep pushing myself to the max to hopefully have an opportunity to go to the Euros.
“The Euros is a massive thing and I have big belief in myself and hopefully I will be able to get into the team.
“I just want to make sure that I keep pushing myself every game and every minute and making sure that I keep trying to score goals and make assists to help the team as much as possible to get what we want, which is a trophy at the end of the day.”
FOOTBALLERS could be hit particularly hard by the coronavirus lockdown, sports psychologist Steven Sylvester has warned.
They are used to routine, dressing-room banter, training and games.
And the current crisis could leave them isolated and lonely.
“For a footballer, their very identity is being threatened,” said Sylvester (right), who helps elite players and has worked with Sheffield United and AFC Wimbledon.
“There are different approaches but players want to keep fit, they want to finish the season and that’s how they are.
“That’s a part of their identity and if they’re suddenly told they can’t do it then it will feel very alien.”
Former England captain Wayne Rooney raised mental health as being a “big topic” and admitted “players will be tested by the loss of routine”.
Those in the Premier League are at the other end of the spectrum compared to the lower divisions, where there are worries about whether wages will be paid and if there is enough money to cover bills.
Sylvester, who has a practice in Buckinghamshire and has spent 20 years working in sport, believes talking is vital.
“If you think about how much loneliness and isolation there is in society anyway and now it’s even worse,” he said.
“Players are used to routine, that’s how they live their lives: training, games and so on. Now suddenly super fit athletes with nothing at the end of it.
“People in sport work hard physically, but how much do they talk every day? What’s going on in their lives? How are they feeling generally?
“By talking, it provides some alleviation and prevents people being more anxious. You’re a physical machine trying to get ready and in this period where there’s no certainty with anything, it’s important to have this time to talk because stress levels are very high. It’s the same with any walk of life. If you trained and then couldn’t play, the stress levels are increased and causes avoidance as well. We avoid difficult conversations and situations.
“People don’t know what’s going on, you worry about your family, if you’ve got parents, elderly parents and, while it puts football into perspective, footballers are being stopped from what they love doing. “What I’m seeing through my discussions, is we get some perspective and a bit of hope. I just hope we will get some clarity about this pandemic but until then it’s so important to talk rather than be stuck in isolation.” Sylvester, 51, works across industry and football. Recent successes have been at Sheffield United, with a focus on positivity and strong mentality.
Now the different.
“I’ve worked in football for a good while and much of my work is with individual players in the top two leagues,” said Sylvester. “It’s brilliant how Chris Wilder and the guys have done. A lot of that comes from positive thinking and mentality.
“I’ve worked with a lot of players who retire and they are no different from executives who retire – they are anxious about a lack of identity and there’s stress in going from what you know into the unknown.”
STEVEN SYLVESTER’S website can be found at www.talkingmenhealth.com YouTube: Talking Mental Health challenges are
‘A footballer’s identity is being threatened. How much do they talk?’