Diary of a frustrated footballer: Stars turning to cooking in bid to pass time on coronavirus lockdown

LOCKDOWN means footballers are without their beloved routines — and continuing to eat right is going to be one of our biggest challenges.

We are used to being told what to eat and when to eat it.

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Bournemouth stars like Simon Francis are used to having their meals laid out for themCredit: Rex Features

At Bournemouth, our chefs have breakfast laid on for us when we arrive at the training ground and provide us with lunch as well.

Players can also take meals home to have for dinner at night.

While one of our former chefs, Dan, even provides a service where he goes round players’ houses in the evenings to cook for them.

But now during this coronavirus lockdown we are being forced to fend for ourselves.

And with the season potentially resuming at the end of April — though that is hard to see happening right now — it is vital we stay in tip-top condition.

The extra time stuck at home gives all of us a chance to learn something new. And for many in the squad, improving our cooking skills would be a fantastic idea.

My culinary abilities now are not too shabby, with my signature dish a nice spaghetti ragu.

The secret is to use both pork and beef mince, as well as a splash of red wine from a bottle tasty enough to drink alongside the meal!

Francis’ former team-mate Marc Pugh has set up @thefoodiefootballer on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodiefootballer/?hl=en

Pugh has a qualification in nutritionCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodiefootballer/?hl=en

But my competence in the kitchen left a lot to be desired when I was 20.

Fifteen years ago, there was just not as much understanding and knowledge over nutrition.

And I must admit that I certainly did not take as good care of my body as I should have.

At that time I was playing for Sheffield United but still living in my home town of Nottingham where I would go out two or three times a week.

Back then after playing a game on a Saturday, it was just expected that you would then go on a night out.

And during those sessions, you could easily knock back five or six beers, not to mention a few vodkas.

That obviously has a negative effect on your body and there is no chance you could do it now with the intensity of the Premier League today.

I know all that now, at 35, and one of my big regrets is not moving away from Nottingham when I was at Bramall Lane.

Footballers are having to take responsibility for their fitnessCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It would have helped me to get my head down and focus on my career, rather than enjoying being near my mates.

I reckon I would have been playing at a higher level much earlier had I done so.

The culture within the game has obviously changed massively since then.

Players today are much more aware of what they should and should not be drinking and eating.

Yet right now our guys are being left to their own devices, barring WhatsApp messages from our fitness coach and nutritionist.

So no one can keep track of what we are putting in our bodies.

As someone who has experience of playing when not keeping their body right through diet, I really cannot stress enough the importance of eating the right things.

And my top tip for players looking to stay healthy throughout this isolation period is to check out my old team-mate Marc Pugh’s Instagram page, @thefoodiefootballer.

Everyone in football loves Pughy, who spent the majority of his career with us at the Cherries before leaving for Queens Park Rangers last season.

He is a top professional who looks after himself and has also done a degree in nutrition — which led to him starting up his page.

His Insta has loads of great recipes and I believe his plan is to bring out a cookbook one day.

Francis’ team-mate Steve Cook makes a cooking XI

I certainly will be having a go with some of his recipes during this frustrating time stuck cooped up in the house.

But I am sure Pughy will not be offended when I say I cannot wait to be back tasting our chefs’ meals at the Bournemouth training ground.

Hopefully then, life can return to normal.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk