Thomas Tuchel has broken his silence on claims of an unusual method the England team are using to prepare for high altitude at their next World Cup match. The Three Lions will take on Mexico at the Azteca arena on Monday (6 July). Situated 7,220ft above sea level, the thinner air means that the England players will have to breathe more heavily to increase oxygen uptake. Responding to reports that his team might use Viagra, which relaxes pulmonary blood vessels, to deal with the altitude and boost performance, Tuchel laughed as he said: “The information and the support didn’t reach me. That is not true."

Their opponents will be in their element at 2,240 metres above sea level in Mexico City, but what does it mean for England and how much greater is the risk of their hopes of glory…

England face Mexico in the daunting Azteca Stadium in their last 16 showdown at the World Cup, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel worried about the role altitude will play at a…