Jonjoe Kenny says he’s ‘not scared’ of returning to football as his Schalke side gears up for a local derby against Borussia Dortmund this weekend with the Bundesliga resuming behind closed doors.
The coronavirus pandemic saw all sport grind to a halt in March, with the deadly disease already claiming more than 300,000 lives worldwide.
The Bundesliga is Europe’s first major league to resume in the wake of the global health crisis, having received the go-ahead from the German government.
Everton right-back Kenny, who joined Schalke on a season-long loan last summer, is champing at the bit to return and says it will bring some kind of normality back to his life following these unprecedented times.
When asked if he’s concerned about returning to football, the 23-year-old said: “No, I’m not scared.
“I don’t think they [the government and football authorities] would put us in a position to go out there and play against other teams if our lives were at risk.
The Bundesliga is back! We’ll bring you LIVE commentary of Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke on Saturday and Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich on Sunday
“As a club we’ve done everything we can to stick to the guidelines – all of the staff and team have done that. We’re getting our rewards now with the season carrying on.
“In the game you will be having contact and during the games there will be a lot of rules that you’ve got to stick to, so if you don’t stick to them there is always a chance the league will get stopped again.”
In Kenny’s native homeland, several Premier League stars have spoken out about their concerns regarding the same scenario arising in England in next month – with ‘Project Restart’ aimed at resuming the season behind closed doors.
Uwe Rosler gives us in an insight into Bundesliga’s preparations for league return – Things change from day to day.
Kenny acknowledges those concerns, and says everyone has their right to refuse to return to action if they don’t feel it’s safe to do so.
“If players don’t feel comfortable with that that that’s completely fair enough,” he explained. “At the end of the day people have different circumstances at home, but I’m looking forward to getting some kind of normality.
“We’re having coronavirus tests on a regular basis here, so everything possible is being done to ensure we are fit and healthy so we can perform [on the field].”
Social distancing and hygiene rules will continue to be taken very seriously, with no handshakes both before and after the game, with no spitting allowed during the respective contests either.
Players will also not be able to celebrate with teammates when they score, but Kenny says those sort of things pale into insignificance when you take the whole situation at face value.
He added: “It’s not a football situation, it’s a worldwide situation. So if it means not celebrating with teammates to get games done and to give fans a lift then, then so be it.
“It’s a massive positive to see where we are now in light of everything that has gone. It’s a moment you’ve got to enjoy and make the best of.
“People have lost jobs, businesses have gone bust and NHS workers are putting their lives on the line to support people.
“For me as a footballer to go out and play with no fans, and while I love them being there and pushing me on of course, is not a big thing.
“We’ve just got to stick to the rules and regulations in place and try and ensure the health and safety of everyone as best we can. We all need to deal with it.”
Bundesliga teams will be allowed up to five substitutions per match when the season resumes on Saturday, after football’s rule-making body IFAB ruled implemented the temporary measure earlier this month.
And Kenny believes this will be a big help to players.
“Having a five subs rule is the right call seeing as we all haven’t played for a long time,” he concluded. “It will definitely come in handy and keep teams fresh throughout the game.
“Physically and mentally it’s a good rule to help the players, as so much will be demanded from us in the first couple of weeks especially.”
Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke is live on talkSPORT from 2:30pm on Saturday
