Fulham defender Issa Diop has lifted the lid on the off-pitch decision he believes his extending his Premier League career, hiring a private chef.
The 29-year-old, who first arrive in England with West Ham in 2018, has been speaking to L’Equipe about his hire behind the scenes that’s become essential to his fitness, recovery and longevity at the top level.
Since his early days in London, Diop has relied on a French chef to manage his nutrition, shopping and meal preparation. Now he considers it non-negotiable.
“I made this decision when I arrived at West Ham from Toulouse in 2018. I’ve already had three chefs, including Ibrahim Mbaye, who has been with me since I signed for Fulham (August 2022),” he explained.
“He works Monday to Friday, mainly preparing dinners. He does my grocery shopping. We agree on the schedule at the beginning of the week.
“Initially, it was mainly so he could learn my preferences. He cooks dinner for me at a set time, around 8 p.m. He also prepares meals for my wife and sometimes my children.”
Fresh food, tailored nutrition and Fulham collaboration
The Fulham defender only has one real demand for his personal chef. He wants quality at all times. That means working with Fulham’s nutritionist behind the scenes.
“I want fresh produce. Having a personal chef avoids junk food. Organic doesn’t always mean much either,” he added.
“He knows. He seeks out quality with a wide variety of organic products. When you’re in London, you can find everything. He also collaborates with the club’s nutritionist. They discuss training sessions, sometimes including intense workouts to increase carbohydrate intake.
“He also adapts my diet based on my blood tests, providing iron, such as lentil-based diets, or vitamins C and D.”
Eight years of consistency and no regrets
While he won’t make any extravagant claims about it improving him, Issa Diop is certain that the decision has not hindered him. And that means he considers the expense as a good investment.
“I don’t know if I feel better, but certainly not worse! I’ve had a personal chef for almost eight years now,” he admitted.
“I started when I was young to protect myself from injuries, have comfort, regular mealtimes, and no worries about shopping or preparation. It saves me time, allowing me to prioritize my recovery. I’ve always maintained my ideal weight and body fat percentage while still enjoying myself.
“It’s an expense. I pay for it myself. But it’s a good investment in myself. I prefer a good diet, beneficial to my health, to buying a bigger car! I’m 29. If it allows me to win three or four good seasons, it will be money to earn in the end. My body is my tool. My chef is like a personal trainer or buying recovery equipment for home.”
A growing Premier League trend
The Fulham defender is also willing to admit that, as we all might suspect, personal chefs are common in the Premier League. In fact, 60% of the Fulham squad have gone down the same path.
“I think at Fulham, 60% of the players have a private chef. It’s very common among single and young players. This practice is becoming more widespread,” he concluded.