Why wouldn't a Premier League club employ a sport psychologist?

Some of the richest football teams in the world are choosing not to employ a sport psychologist: why?

“There were times when I'd be sick in the toilet before going out for kick-off or at half-time, or I couldn't eat properly, which obviously affected my performance…but because I didn't address it well, it ended up seeping into my personal life. On holiday, shopping or sitting in a restaurant, I'd start having panic attacks out of the blue. That's when I started seeking help."

The words of Wycombe midfielder David Wheeler, discussing the battle with anxiety which dogged his early playing years. Wheeler, who has played in every tier of English football’s professional pyramid bar the Premier League, spoke movingly about the panic attacks he’s suffered and the ‘toxic’ culture of masculinity which prevents many players from discussing their experiences in a similar way.

He also called for all clubs in England’s top two leagues to employ a psychologist to work with first-team squad members. When I interviewed Wheeler, open-source information suggested that only 50% of Premier League teams counted a psychologist among their backroom staff. With clubs, in most cases, still unable or unwilling to confirm whether they employ a ‘psych’, it’s difficult to gauge if we’re now looking at a different picture, but conversations I’ve had with experts connected to topflight teams suggest little has changed.

It begs the question: why wouldn’t a Premier League team employ a sport psychologist? In this week’s issue of The Mind Room, I’ll be examining an issue that refuses to go away – and offering some counter-arguments to the possible reasons for not hiring a dedicated psych.

Before that, another reminder about the Mind Room Q&A, which gives Mind Room Members the chance to ask sport psychology questions you’re looking to answer.

There are no strict parameters for putting forward queries: it can be anything on what’s going on in the industry, requests for help with a professional problem or another challenge you’re looking for help with.

If that’s piqued your interest in submitting a question, just email mindroomenquiries@gmail.com or leave a comment at the bottom of this post.