As England prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley, head coach Thomas Tuchel faces an unusual challenge: maintaining his squad's competitive edge without the pressure of qualification hanging over them.
The Focus Factor: Unconventional Preparations
The England camp has seen some unusual sights during preparations, most notably defender Ezri Konsa sporting garish fluorescent red footwear that resembled a cross between slippers and oversized Crocs. The specialised shoes, worn by multiple squad members, are designed to improve concentration through pressure points on the foot.
Thomas Tuchel admitted he hasn't investigated the science behind the footwear, telling reporters: "They are desperate to tell me, but I haven't found time to get my head around it. But all the players are wearing them. They told me they can focus better in meetings if they wear these shoes and I hope they believe it. Maybe the most important thing is that they believe it."
Mental Preparation and Maintaining Standards
Tuchel, a longtime meditation practitioner, revealed his own methods for maintaining focus, attempting to meditate once daily. "It helps me with my discipline … it helps me to calm down, to focus and be aware," he explained. "It's not like you do it and it's immediately: 'Oh wow.' It's more of an ongoing thing."
The England setup also includes breathwork sessions led by movement expert Suzanne Scott, which players have bought into according to Tuchel. This focus on mental preparation forms part of Tuchel's broader philosophy that team spirit comes before selections and tactics.
Proving Themselves Without External Pressure
With World Cup qualification already secured, Tuchel acknowledged the missing element of jeopardy but challenged his players to find motivation from within. "Maybe it's important to acknowledge it," he said when asked about the lack of competitive pressure. "Will we get the full thrill of it tomorrow? Maybe not. But why should we not run? We still do our stuff, we still run at people, we still go after them."
The England manager emphasised this isn't a time for experimentation, despite raising the possibility of using Phil Foden as a false nine, likely as a substitute. Instead, he wants to reinforce the system that brought success in previous camps, including September's transformative 5-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade.
Tuchel's approach means sticking to a structured system with specialist roles: a 6, 8 and 10 in midfield with dedicated wingers. This structure means Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane are unlikely to all start together, with players being used in their best positions rather than shoehorned in based on individual talent.
Looking ahead to the World Cup finals in North America, eight starting positions appear settled: Jordan Pickford, Reece James, John Stones, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. The left-back position remains most open, with Djed Spence and Nico O'Reilly competing for the spot.
Tuchel's message is clear: England must build on the connections forged during autumn camps and continue developing their playing identity, regardless of the qualification circumstances. As he put it: "The environment and circumstances don't give the edge, but still we have a lot to prove to ourselves."
