Troy Deeney opens up on disgusting abuse after stating Premier League training view

The irony of enduring the criticism he received during Mental Health Awareness Week was not lost on Troy Deeney.

One of the few players brave enough to be honest about his coronavirus fears for his five-month old son, the Watford striker made clear ahead of last week’s first phase of the Premier League’s return to training that he would be staying home.

Cue the abuse.

Vitriol was also aimed at Newcastle ’s Danny Rose.

The on-loan Spurs defender had used colourful language to maintain the nation’s health was more important than football.

Deeney can understand why more players, concerned about a return, opted not to put their heads above the parapet.

“We are in a time where it's all about mental health and everyone says: ‘Speak up, speak out. Please speak,’” he said.

“For example, Danny Rose spoke out and I know Danny started using swear words, which wasn't ideal. But then I spoke out and we just got absolutely hammered and battered for it.

“So players see that and say: ‘No. I’m not going to say something.’

“It's not just me that gets it, the missus was receiving direct messages. She’d be walking down the street and people were like: ‘I'm at work, he should go back to work!’ “I'm like: I’m not making them go back to work!’

“I saw some comments in regards to my son. People saying: 'I hope your son gets coronavirus' and stuff like that. That's the hard part for me.

“It’s like racism. How many people have an opinion on the racism situation? Loads. How many say something publicly about it? A handful?

“You have to respect their decisions.

“People will say I was vindicated when I didn’t go in and Watford had three people test positive on the first round of testing.

“That changed peoples’ perception because they were like: ‘Oh, Troy was right.’

"But it wasn’t about being right. It was solely about what’s right for me and mine. People all around the world can appreciate that if you have a family health means much more than wealth.

“I’ve had a lot of messages from people that I wouldn’t normally - including players from bigger teams and clubs which shows me that I must be doing something right.”

Deeney is preparing now to take part in full-contact training after having his concerns allayed by the Premier League and Jonathan van Tam, the government’s deputy chief medical officer.

He has no beef with the Premier League. Quite the opposite.

The influential Watford captain can't speak highly enough of the extent to which the game is striving to ensure training grounds are the safest place a player can be.

“I haven't actually been in but I've spoken to the boys and they’ve told me about the measures that are in place and they’ve told me that they feel really safe,” he said.

Deeney is still, however, deeply concerned by the investment in a large-scale testing programme and PPE for football while front-line health workers are operating without it.

The issue was raised during a heated discussion between the 20 top flight captains, Van Tam the Premier League and their medical advisor Mark Gilett.

Deeney went on: “One question raised was, if we get another spike or second wave of this pandemic, how long will it be before people start asking why these Premier League players are getting all these tests and PPE when people in hospitals or care homes don't have it.

“People think this is solely just get your football boots on and go play football. It is far bigger than that.”

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