Liverpool player should “open” about Diogo Jota's death, urge the former star of the Premier League

From Ben Church and Darren Lewis, CNN

(CNN) – The former star of Arsenal and Manchester City Bacary Sagna asked Liverpool players to properly process Diogo Jota's death by talking to someone about their grief.

Sagna, who played in the English Premier League for a decade, told CNN Sports that Liverpool players may have difficulty concentrating on the coming season, being missing in the squad.

The Reds striker Jota died on July 3 at the age of 28 in a car accident. His brother André Silva, who was also a professional football player – also died at the car accident at the age of 25.

Many of those in the current Liverpool team, including captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, traveled to Portugal in early this month before the squad returned to training the previous season.

“You will keep thinking about it,” said Sagna. “Because a place is free in the changing room. A place is free for lunch. A place is free on the bus, so I clearly advise you to comment.”

He added: “We are people at first. We spend more time with the players than with the whole family, so it's just crazy. It is difficult to explain why and how it happened, but unfortunately you have to continue and you have to try to finish, but it will be difficult.”

Learn out of grief

Sagna, who played 65 times for the French national team, knows more than most, how a loved one can influence the ability to concentrate on football.

Sagnas Bruder died early in his magic in Arsenal in 2008.

He said the news had sent him in “shock” and his brain felt “paralyzed” by not knowing what to do, where he turned or with whom he should speak.

Sagna returned to France for a week, but quickly decided to return to Arsenal after being advised by his father.

It was the second season of the defender with the club, but he could no longer concentrate on his job and drove through training sessions and games.

He said it was only for Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champion, of course when the new league season begins on August 15th.

“My brain was not there. It is my second season. I started mistakes like school boy mistakes. It was difficult to control the ball. My brain was in slow motion,” said Sagna, explaining how he had to fight after the death of his brother.

“Some of the (Liverpool) players could come in the same attitude. They may not have a head in football because they will keep thinking about it.”

From his own experience, Sagna understands why it can be intimidating to talk to a consultant about grief.

He was against it at first and was not vulnerable to a stranger who “had learned and learned from books”.

After the 42-year-old was addressed by Arsenals at the time, the 42-year-old is now committed to people, especially for men, to talk about how they feel.

Sagna told CNN Sports that the advice made it possible for him to define himself as a first to redefine as a person, not just as a football player. This shift in the framework then allowed him to properly process his feelings.

“We talked about life, we talked about many things, and above all I felt a relief,” he said.

“I felt easy afterwards and said: 'Why didn't I open earlier?' I didn't have the courage.

“I thought he couldn't understand me, but they hit so many people, they hear so many stories. There is data, we talked about the data. The words will be a publication, so it is really important.”

He added: “I can remember the past and transform them into a positive way, so I think that players in Liverpool should try to do the same.”

The-Cnn-Wire
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