Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess on social-distancing, staying away from the TV and how 'buzzing' team-mate Ellis Harrison will be coping

Christian Burgess has provided an insight into how he and his fellow Pompey team-mates have been coping after they were sent home early from training at the end of last week.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Blues’ players and staff were advised to socially distance themselves last Friday, after news emerged that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had tested positive for coronavirus.

That development came less than two weeks after the Gunners defeated Pompey in the fifth-round of the FA Cup at Fratton Park and initiated a sequence of events that saw the the Blues’ players and coaching staff tested for covid-19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking on The Athletic’s Going Up Going Down podcast, which was recorded on Thursday, Burgess revealed the club were expecting the results of those tests that afternoon, with no players showing any symptoms of the virus.

At present, there’s been no announcement made by the club in regards to the outcome of those examinations.

And as we all wait and hope for positive news on that front, the popular Pompey defender explained exactly what he’s been up to since being asked to keep contact to a minimum a week ago.

A relaxed Burgess told The Athletic podcast team: ‘I'm not doing a lot, to be honest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The information that we've had is to basically socially distance ourselves, keep contact at a minimum really.

Pompey defender Christian Burgess.  Picture: Daniel ChestertonPompey defender Christian Burgess.  Picture: Daniel Chesterton
Pompey defender Christian Burgess. Picture: Daniel Chesterton

‘We sort of got caught up with the whole Arsenal scare, I think.

‘We were tested two days ago (Tuesday), we find the results out later today actually.

‘Nobody’s had any symptoms or anything like that, but I'm basically on day seven of a self-distancing, self-isolation mix, really.

‘I've been out of my flat twice, it's not that exciting.

Ellis Harrison, centre, with team-mates Marcus Harness and Brett Pitman.  Picture: Robin JonesEllis Harrison, centre, with team-mates Marcus Harness and Brett Pitman.  Picture: Robin Jones
Ellis Harrison, centre, with team-mates Marcus Harness and Brett Pitman. Picture: Robin Jones
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I've actually really enjoyed little workouts that I've done (while staying at home).

‘They’ve just given me something to focus on.

‘There’s a lot of time spent on the sofa, tempted by the TV – I've tried to keep the television off.

‘But, you know, most people (members of the public) will be working from home and having to do some work, whereas we're sort of just at home.

‘Our work has stopped so it’s a lot easier for us.’

The centre-half, who is out of contract at the end of the season, also revealed how his team-mates in general have been coping as all matches at elite level in football remain suspended until April 30 at the earliest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alerts on the WhatsApp are constantly being pinged across as the group awaits news on when they can get back to training.

Although, Burgess admitted most of the content was conspiracy theories, which was having mixed reviews among the team.

‘There's been a bit of chat on the WhatsApp group, mostly it's sort of fear-mongering, what the situation is going to look like in a couple of days time,’ he said.‘There's a lot of rumours been spread so it's mostly conspiracy theories and things.

‘There’s not a lot of what we're doing – you know, most people are keeping themselves to themselves, some are more worried than others, some are a little bit more relaxed, so I think one of the problems there as well is the lack of guidance I think.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

People are left to make up their own minds and what to do and that's sort of a sticky situation.’

Burgess, who has made 43 appearances this term and is in contention to be named player of the season, added the current social-distancing measures advised by the club were not something he has been overly-concerned with.

Yet, in a light-heated manner, he believed one member of the Blues squad would be struggling - Ellis Harrison.

Claiming the striker had ‘no off button’, Burgess quipped the former Ipswich man would have been a ‘handful’ during his school days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: ‘I'm probably a good shout for the most isolated one, I sort of enjoy my own company, my own time, I've not changed much of my daily life apart from getting up a bit later.

‘The one who strikes me most, who is going to be struggling, is Ellis Harrison.

‘He does not have an off button, there’s no off switch, he’s just constantly buzzing around

‘'He's got so much energy, he'll have been a handful at school – you know I feel for the teachers – and he'll be struggling right now.'

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.