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Everton’s Jordan Pickford: ‘Our focus has to be staying home and protecting the NHS’

Premier League is suspended along with most sport around the world amid coronavirus pandemic

Alex Pattle
Sunday 29 March 2020 13:59 BST
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Coronavirus: How has sport been affected?

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has stressed that the priority for Premier League footballers during the coronavirus pandemic must be staying at home and protecting the NHS.

The English game has been suspended until 30 April at the earliest along with most sporting competitions around the world, and Pickford told Everton’s official club website that while players may feel restless, they have a duty to remain at home and look out for healthcare staff in Britain.

“I am currently back in the North East with my partner Megan, my son, mum and dad, and my dog. Obviously, we’d love to be playing football right now, but with the current situation there’s a bigger picture to think of around the world.

“Everyone’s doing their duty as a nation of people, and the NHS has been phenomenal.

“I joined everyone in my parents’ street to applaud our doctors and nurses and every other NHS worker on Thursday night. It was a nice touch to recognise what they are doing at this time and demonstrate how we are all thinking about them. We need to take care of ourselves and do what’s best for the nation and for the world.

“I’m missing the day-to-day banter with the lads and staff at USM Finch Farm, but as I say, there’s a bigger picture right now and the focus has to be to save lives and do our job of staying home and protecting the NHS.”

Pickford also spoke about how players at Everton have adapted to new training measures amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

“As players, we have individual training programmes and all the medical and fitness staff have been brilliant in helping us. Someone is always on the end of the phone if I need them. We know Everton is a great club and everyone’s always helping each other.

“I saw the video of the young keeper training in his garden. I think I’ll have to encourage my dad to get his boots back on and help me do things like that!”

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