England believe they have stolen a march on their World Cup opposition – by kitting their players out in special slippers.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad have been spotted wearing Nike’s new ‘Mind001’ shoes that the national team’s sponsor says can boost a player’s mental sharpness.
Looking like a pair of brightly coloured £80 slip-ons, the Nike blurb claims the shoes ‘enhance your pre-game routine with mind-altering science’ by connecting sensors on the soles of your feet with receptors in your brain.
England coach Tuchel – who wasn’t wearing a pair when he met the media – seemed unconvinced, saying: ‘I don’t know much about these shoes.
‘They told me they can focus better in meetings if they wear these shoes and I hope they believe it.
‘May be the most important thing is that they believe it. I don’t know the science behind it.
‘They are desperate to tell me but I haven’t found time get my head around it. But all the players are wearing them.’
Tuchel’s own mental preparations for matches is based on meditation and breathing techniques, something the 52-year-old bought in to earlier in his managerial career in his native Germany.
Asked if he believed in positive thinking, he said: ‘Yes, 100 per cent. So as long as everybody believes it. ‘I started meditation way before my time at Chelsea. It helps me with my discipline. I should do it every day but I am not disciplined enough. When I wake up and in the evening. Twice a day would be ideal but once a day I try.
‘I would encourage everyone to try and to do it. I believe that it works. Even if you don’t believe that it works you don’t have to. That’s the nice thing about meditation.
‘We have Dr Suzanne Scott in camp here who does fantastic breathwork sessions. The players buy in to it. They feel the relief.
‘Meditation helps me to calm down, to focus and be aware. I don’t know how you feel the effect. It’s not like you do it and it’s immediately: “Oh wow!”.
‘It’s more of an ongoing thing. The more you do it the more effect you feel but it’s subtle.’
When asked to outline the things that stress him out, Tuchel didn’t hesitate. ‘Journalists!,’ he said.
‘And players, sporting directors… people in general… everything about football…’
