With the Premier League’s greatly anticipated project ‘restart’ soon upon us, Watford captain Troy Deeney won’t be taking any chances.
With a ‘flexible’ date of June 12th, the Premier League will soon return to our screens. Though, it may be some time yet before we can return to our beloved stadia and cheer on our sides in person.
While we watch from the comfort of our homes, Premier League stars face something of a dilemma. Should players refuse to conform with the new footballing norms, or turn down the opportunity to return to training and games, they are facing the possibility of going without pay.
And while some players are enthusiastically looking ahead to the league resumption:
Soon ⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/5OMEpWCqvp
— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) May 16, 2020
Others are not:
💬 Troy Deeney:
"We're due back in this week. I've said I'm not going. It only takes one to get infected. I don't want to bring that home. My son is 5 months & he's had breathing difficulties. I don't want to put him in more danger."
Family comes first!
👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/kSW9TzQid9
— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) May 19, 2020
Watford’s captain and joint top-scorer this league campaign, Troy Deeney, has found himself at the forefront of the restart’s opposition.
The ever outspoken striker is renowned for his opinionated comments, having previously claimed he “made Arsenal’s season” after slating the side following their 2-1 defeat to Watford last season.
This time however, the target man has turned his attention to the PFA’s ongoing deliberation regarding just how players will be protected when English football returns.
According to tweets by Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles, Deeney is quoted as saying: ‘I can’t get a haircut until mid-July but I can go and get in a box with 19 people and jump for a header.’ And no-one could answer the questions… So I said, ‘If you don’t know the information, why would I put myself at risk?’
Deeney’s statement has been met by a mixed response.
Some are sympathetic to the player’s plight:
👏 “I totally and utterly sympathise with Troy Deeney, 100%.”
❌ “If he’s putting no risk on his family then there’s no argument against him.”
Ally McCoist says #WatfordFC’s @T_Deeney is right to refuse to return to football over health concerns.
Do you agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8j3Wgz8g6X
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 19, 2020
Whereas others claim his opinions are fuelled by Watford’s languishing league position where they sit just above the relegation zone on goal-difference alone:
"Troy Deeney" To me he's playing to the gallery! We all know if Watford were in the running for the championship, he'd be first there waiting on the others! I'm sure Watford FC and all the other clubs will be testing the players extensively, what better guarantee than that?
— richard oneill (@silverrich39) May 19, 2020
Whether Deeney’s quotes will have a greater effect amongst the league’s playerbase is yet to be seen.
After all, others may soon follow suit until their safety is more comprehensively assured.
