Premier League return: Lack of fans will ‘free’ some players, says Dimitar Berbatov

Fear of being booed for making mistakes holds back some footballers, the former Manchester United striker said

Former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has said the absence of fans could actually help to improve some players’ performances when the Premier League returns behind closed doors this week.

Following a three-month coronavirus-enforced break, the English top flight resumes on Wednesday 17 June, with games set to be played without supporters in attendance so as to observe social distancing measures.

While much has been made of how certain teams could struggle without their fans present to encourage them, Berbatov told The Independent there is the potential for a positive side to the situation.

“That’s a really interesting factor,” Berbatov said in a podcast with The Independent’s sports writers. “For example when you play at Liverpool’s stadium, it’s intimidating as hell, for sure.

“So, if you’re not really sure in your ability to calm yourself, to know what you can do with the ball when the ball is at your feet, and you’re always thinking about the mistake, you’re gonna do more and more mistakes.

“But this is the same when you play at home. Again, if you’re not sure about yourself and you do one or two mistakes – bad pass, missed opportunity – then the fans start to boo a little bit, then you’re gone. Your confidence is gone.

“And if you’re not strong enough mentally, then you’re gonna have a bad game for sure.

“And when the fans are not there, some players who think like this can come out of their shadow. They’ll be more free, because they’ll be thinking: ‘Well, if I do a bad pass, there’s nobody there to boo me.’”

The first Premier League game back sees Sheffield United travel to Aston Villa on 17 June, with Manchester City hosting Arsenal later in the day.

Berbatov’s former teams United and Spurs will clash on 19 June in both sides’ first match since the resumption of the league.