England players have been wearing fluorescent red shoes designed to improve concentration during Thomas Tuchel's first camp as head coach. The unusual footwear, described as a cross between slippers and oversized Crocs, features grooves and nodules that the manufacturer claims stimulate pressure points on the foot to enhance focus.
Tuchel admitted he does not fully understand the science behind the shoes but noted that all players are wearing them. 'They told me they can focus better in meetings if they wear these shoes and I hope they believe it,' he said. 'Maybe the most important thing is that they believe it.' The German coach, a longtime practitioner of meditation, sees the shoes as part of a broader marginal gains approach.
The camp also includes breathwork sessions led by pilates teacher Suzanne Scott, which Tuchel says players have embraced. 'She does fantastic breathwork sessions,' he said. 'The players buy into it. They feel the relief.' Tuchel himself meditates once daily, finding it helps him calm down and focus.
With World Cup qualification already secured, Thursday's qualifier against Serbia at Wembley lacks the usual jeopardy. Tuchel acknowledged the challenge of maintaining intensity without the pressure of must-win games. 'Why should we not run? We still do our stuff, we still run at people, we still go after them,' he said. 'The environment and circumstances don't give the edge, but still we have a lot to prove to ourselves.'
Tuchel plans to stick with his established system, using specialist wingers and a midfield trio of a 6, 8 and 10. He raised the possibility of deploying Phil Foden as a false 9 off the bench. The camp concludes with a qualifier against Albania in Tirana on Sunday, after which England will play friendlies against Japan and Uruguay in March, likely in Florida, before the World Cup finals.
