Sheffield Wednesday’s Joey Pelupessy happy with relaxed training in lockdown

Most clubs have been sending detailed and often very strict fitness programmes for their players to follow in lockdown, but the Owls have tried not to make theirs too structured according to midfielder Joey Pelupessy.

“You can choose between a few exercises, running, core exercises and strength work so you can switch a little bit between them,” said the Dutchman, who is isolating in his homeland. “It’s nice the way they’ve done it.

“It’s still a little strange because normally every day you’re on the pitch training with a ball. I can’t wait to get back to the training pitch and to play matches again.

“I’m quite fortunate that my girlfriend’s parents have a gym and they brought some of the equipment into the house. The rest of my work is a lot of running outside. That’s allowed in Holland and I know the routes a bit better than in Sheffield, so that helps.

“You have to find a way to make it enjoyable for yourself. I like to make it a competition to improve.

“When it comes to the timings, I like to have a routine. I like to have my breakfast every morning then train. If I train the afternoon or late I don’t feel fresh.

“It’s actually much easier now to try to improve. It’s much more difficult when you have two or three games a week.”

As well as the physical side, there is also the mental challenge, and WhatsApp has been the main way Pelupessy has kept in touch with his team-mates.

“Group chats are the big thing with us,” he revealed. “We get sent the programmes in WhatsApp and people will be joking in there, asking how the holiday is going.

“There is serious stuff too, asking when we’re going to be back and things like that but it’s really difficult to know. We’re all just waiting to find out.”

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