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A prominent sports psychologist warned that Project Restart will end as Premier League-lite.
Mark Bowden believes the pandemic will highlight the failure of most clubs to address cognitive issues that prevent footballers from reaching their full potential.
Bowden is a mental performance consultant with a significant number of top players and champions on his client list.
Premier League bosses will meet with clubs tomorrow to press ahead with efforts to resume the season, and close a £ 1.3 billion black hole caused by the Covid-19 virus.
But Bowden insists the plan is flawed because it doesn’t take into account the negative mental impact the pandemic will have on players.
(Image: PA)
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Secretary of Foreign Relations Dominic Raab last week suggested that the return of soccer would lift the spirits of the nation.
But Bowden said: “The Premier League will be diluted beyond recognition. I understand the desire to restart the game, both from a financial perspective and from the point of view that could give the country a boost.
“But we must be careful what we wish for. There seems to be this troubling train of thought that, because many footballers earn fabulous amounts of money, they should take the risks and move on.
“But that is like saying that a soldier should go to war because they joined the army.” It is a dangerous game to play. “
Manchester City striker Agüero was the first to express concern that the players feel they are forced to play again too soon.
Bowden said: “I hear the same fears that Agüero mentioned about being passed on by players I work with. It is not most of them, by any means, but it is a significant number.
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“It’s usually that younger players, who don’t have wives, partners, children, can’t wait to play again.” Older players, who have family responsibilities, are concerned about putting their loved ones at risk. These are rational fears. The coronavirus can make you sick, even kill you.
“These fears not only have an impact on overall mental health, but also make it difficult for players to perform at their best.”
“So the clubs and the Premier League have to be transparent with the players.
“They have to feel that they are human beings, not just highly-paid assets that can risk for the good of the game.”
Bowden added: “This is an unprecedented situation, so the players will adapt. But the plan to play behind closed doors will definitely have a negative impact on performances.
“Players perform at their best when massively challenged. Stress is not bad when a player is mentally in a good place. Playing in front of 50,000 fans optimizes performance instead of hindering it.
“It is what helps Agüero score his goals or an athlete who breaks a world record.”
One of the measures that are lining up to keep players infection-free is to place all 20 Premier League squads in isolation at hotels, along with their coaching staff.
Bowden said: “A footballer is like any other human being in that they have built-in mechanisms that make them need the interaction and protection that they feel from being with their families.
“There is no doubt that alienating players from loved ones, such as wives, partners, and children, will have a detrimental effect on their mental health, and therefore their performance level.
“Soccer clubs are simply not ready for this. Yes, there have been great advances in sports science in the last 20 years, but that is mainly about preparing players physically rather than mentally.
“Clubs are also more proactive in caring for players who have real mental health problems.
“But when it comes to preparing footballers to improve their mental performance, actually helping them make the right decisions on the field, they have barely scratched the surface.”
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