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It was certainly a strong style, difficult to ignore, something only a top‑level footballer could carry off – and even then, the verdict was out. When the England defender walked in to preview Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley, he did so in what, at first glance, appeared to be a mix between a pair of comfort shoes and oversized Crocs. In vibrant, fluorescent red.

On further examination, it was possible to discern ridges 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 the defender convinced? Not certain. How about the head coach? The same.

“I am unaware of the research behind it,” the England manager said. “They are eager to tell me, but I haven’t had time to get my head around it. But all the players are using them. They told me they can focus better in sessions if they wear these shoes and I trust they believe it. Maybe the most crucial thing is that they accept it.”

Attribute it as one for the small advantages department. Or simply the influence of optimistic thinking, which is something Tuchel, a longtime practitioner of mindfulness, can support. He aims to meditate once a day, even if he admits that twice would be preferable.

“It assists me with my discipline … it helps me to relax, to focus and be aware,” he said. “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 benefit you experience, but it’s subtle.”

The coach was asked what stressed him out. “Oh, journalists, players … club officials,” he said. Which elicited laughter, given his previous for disagreements with the last of these. He talked, too, about the work within the England team of a movement expert, the pilates teacher. “She does excellent breathing sessions,” he said. “She does more stuff than just that, but she does it and the players buy into it. They experience the benefit.”

The Wider Point: Self-Motivation and Upholding Quality

The wider point of all this is a major theme of the squad, which concludes with the last qualifier against Albania in Tirana on Sunday: the idea of England finding internal drive to maintain and elevate standards. A significant outside pressure has been removed. With World Cup qualification sewn up, there will be no jeopardy against the upcoming opponents.

England will fine-tune for the finals in North America with warm‑up games, probably in Florida. But only when they play their opening group match will the pressure be increased. The heat of meaningful competition cannot be replicated, even if Serbia and Albania continue to battle for qualification berths. The opponents are also about to begin life under a fresh coach, Veljko Paunovic.

Wembley Crowd and Player Responsibility

A related detail is the home fans, to which Tuchel offered pointed feedback after the victory against Wales last month. Insufficient noise, not enough energy. He knows it will be up to his players to ignite the fans, not the reverse.

“Maybe it’s vital to acknowledge it,” he said, when asked about the absence of jeopardy. “Will we get the complete excitement of it tomorrow? Perhaps not. Will it be the same in the initial elimination game at the tournament? No. Will it be the same if we needed a win against Serbia to qualify? No, it is impossible.

“But why should we not run? We still do our work, we still challenge people, we still go after them. The setting and circumstances don’t give the edge, but still we have a lot to demonstrate to ourselves.”

Tuchel’s Approach: Sticking to the System

For the head coach, this is not a game in which to experiment, even if he raised the possibility of trying the midfielder as a attacking role, most likely as a replacement. Rather, it is a moment to reinforce on the approach that brought progress in the recent camps, the first of which featured the impactful victory against their rivals in the city when the pressure was very much on.

It will be about sticking to the structure; a 6, an 8 and a 10 in midfield with specialist wide players on both sides. It will mean players adapting, being used in their optimal roles – nobody forced on the basis of personal skill. It will be Jude Bellingham or Foden or the newcomer in the attacking midfield position. Bellingham, Foden and the centre‑forward, Harry Kane will certainly not be on the pitch at the same time.

It will be a time to strengthen the relationships, to complete the third phase of the objective from the autumn – the development of a defined tactical approach, an character. Also to further solidify the hierarchies in each position. And the unity within the squad, as the manager calls it. Spirit is paramount. For the manager, it comes before selections, before tactics.

World Cup Lineup: Secure Roles and Competitive Spots

At this distance, it is possible to feel the majority of the starting eleven for the opening World Cup match are largely secured. Tuchel did not contest with the number. Those players would be the goalkeeper, the right-back, the defender, the midfielder, the young talent, the winger, Bellingham and the captain. It would probably be Konsa or the centre-back as the second centre-half; Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon on the wide position. The most uncertain position, the most challenging, is defensive flank, where the contender and the other option are duelling.

Tuchel’s idea is to concentrate on the primary strategy, the precision of roles; not to obsess about backup plans. The belief is that the back-ups will perform as required. It is the structure that is king – along with the motivation from inside.