In a recent feature by The Times (August 2025), the growing role of private strength and conditioning coaches in football came under the spotlight. The article explored how this trend is shaping the modern game—highlighting both the benefits and the risks of players seeking external support beyond their clubs.
Among those providing insight was Dr Ben Rosenblatt, founder of 292 Performance, who explained why more and more footballers are turning to private performance teams.
Why Players Seek Private Support
According to Rosenblatt, players are increasingly looking for three key things that aren’t always available in traditional club environments:
- Individualised focus: with staff-to-player ratios at clubs often stretched, players value the dedicated, bespoke attention of private support.
- Marginal gains: the desire to be “2% better” in every game, leaving nothing to chance.
- Confidence: knowing they have done everything possible to prepare and perform.
“Sometimes it is about confidence, some of the comments we get from players we work with are: ‘I just want to make sure I’m 2% better in every game … I just want to feel that I’ve done everything I can to prepare myself’.” Ben Rosenblatt
Quality Assurance in a Crowded Space
Rosenblatt founded 292 Performance in 2023 with the aim of raising standards and providing quality assurance in a space increasingly dominated by self-promoting trainers and social media personalities.
At 292, players are supported not by individuals, but by an interdisciplinary team—including physical coaches, nutritionists, psychologists, and data scientists—offering holistic performance and wellbeing support.
This multi-layered approach has already earned the trust of high-profile players such as Raheem Sterling, Kalvin Phillips and Danny Ings, who have all worked with Rosenblatt and his team.
Collaboration with Clubs
A defining principle of 292 Performance is collaboration. Rosenblatt makes clear that 292 will only work with players whose clubs are open to joint communication, ensuring full alignment on training, recovery, and performance priorities.
This philosophy addresses one of the biggest concerns raised in The Times feature: that players can sustain injuries when private trainers operate in isolation. By contrast, 292’s model is built around cooperation, reducing risk and ensuring that the athlete’s best interests remain at the centre.
A Growing Movement
The article also highlighted several players benefitting from external support. Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga, for example, has worked extensively with Tom Joyce—sharing standout training clips such as his 100m sprint time of 10.93 seconds ahead of his £55m transfer to St James’ Park.
Other top-level footballers—including Chelsea’s Lauren James and Axel Disasi, Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund, and Leicester’s Patson Daka—are also embracing private coaching to elevate their performance.
This shift mirrors the approach long seen in sports like basketball and tennis, where stars such as LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo have extended their careers and maximised output through personal support teams.
The Future of Private Coaching in Football
As The Times concluded, the role of private performance support is only set to grow. For Rosenblatt and 292 Performance, the future is not about simply offering more training—but about providing better, smarter, and safer support for athletes seeking to maximise their careers.
