Thomas Tuchel is all for the marginal gains and the Three Lions have taken to new, fluorescent red shoes to boost their focus
I
t was certainly a strong look, impossible to ignore, something only a top‑level footballer could carry off – and even then, the jury was out. When Ezri Konsa strolled in to preview Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley, the England defender did so in what, at first glance, appeared to be a cross between a pair of slippers and oversized Crocs. In garish, fluorescent red.
On closer inspection, it was possible to make out grooves and nodules on them, and then it was time for the science part. Apparently, if you wear these your concentration improves. Well, that is according to the manufacturer. Something to do with the pressure points on the foot, perhaps. Was Konsa convinced? Unclear. How about Thomas Tuchel? Ditto.
“I don’t know the science behind it,” the England head coach said. “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.”
