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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Thomas Tuchel has turned this England boot camp into a social laboratory, writes CRAIG HOPE - It's Big Brother in the sun as Three Lions build for the World Cup
Mad dogs and English footballers. Venture into the midday sun in Catalonia and that's who you'll have for company. Rather than train in the shadows of sunrise and sundown, Thomas Tuchel wants the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to bake. The hope is that they will rise at the World Cup in North America next summer. Saying that, this week-long training camp here at the luxurious Camiral Golf & Wellness resort near Girona will feel more like an ice palace compared to the steam chamber of Dallas, where humidity is currently at a lung-reducing 93 per cent and the thermometer intimidates at 33°C. Girona, by comparison, is 60 per cent humidity with temperatures of 25°C. Hot, but your boots aren't welded to the grass. That is why, on Monday, England 's players swapped the green of the training pitch for the greenhouse beyond the byline. There, in acclimatisation tents, staff sent the mercury skywards — 36°C — and recorded how long it would take for their stars to fall back to earth. Working on bikes, each player was monitored to understand better how they react to heat. They did so by swallowing biometric tablets. From that, at the point of exhaustion when they could barely push their pedals any further, the digital material from the dissolvable tablet enabled doctors to scan internal body metrics, revealing core temperature and the like. Dehydration levels were also monitored, allowing bespoke fluid programmes to be devised. The all white of England could soon mean coats, not kits. 'Forty-five minutes on a bike is a long time!' said Eberechi Eze, talking to us from the resort's clubhouse. 'You just had to keep going. But it was definitely helpful. It gave a bit of insight into yourself, and how you would cope in those conditions. It was about understanding how hot you actually are while doing the training. It was interesting.' Cole Palmer took it in his stride. As ever with Palmer, you wonder if there was any perspiration from which to extract the data. 'Yeah, it was tough,' he said. 'We had to get to a certain wattage or something on a bike and maintain it. For 45 minutes.' All of this demonstrates two things. Firstly, attention to detail. But also an absolute confidence that they will be at the World Cup in 12 months' time. Only Serbia, whom England are yet to face in Group K, could rain on those plans. Andorra won't. And because of that, the work Tuchel does here at their countryside base will be far more informative and productive than the formality of Saturday's qualifier in Barcelona, 95km south. The week began with a trip to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix, where they rubbed the shoulders of their designer summer wear with the great and the not-so-good. Robert Lewandowski and Roberto Carlos. Gianni Infantino and Donny van de Beek. Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold met for the first time as Real Madrid team-mates, while Declan Rice was a late arrival after celebrating the wedding of an old team-mate, Jarrod Bowen. The groom was overlooked for this squad. There was a grid walk and then, in small groups, they were taken to the team garages of Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and others. What did they learn? There is one guy at the wheel, but the operation that exists in the pits is on a par with the military might of some small nations. Teamwork and cohesion are key. Tuchel expects the World Cup to be a slog. Think a road trip through Nevada with faulty AC. He says his players are going to 'suffer'. It is why he is giving serious thought to a system that would overload England's midfield and, within it, have two pivot players, the insurance policy for which Gareth Southgate was derided as a handbrake manager. It does not bode well for entertainment, but Tuchel's remit is medals around necks, not smiles on faces. Perhaps this week he can pick the brains of Pep Guardiola, whose possession retention and suffocation of the opposition will likely be the strategy of choice among the leading nations next summer. The Manchester City boss is here, also staying at the Camiral resort as he hosts his Legends Golf Trophy. It's not quite Oscar Piastri in his McLaren, but there have been some second glances among the England party at the sight of Pep, Gianfranco Zola and Andriy Shevchenko whizzing around on golf buggies in recent days. On Wednesday, some of England's players joined them on the parched fairways, afforded an afternoon of down-time by Tuchel. Others enjoyed some 'wellness' activity. It looked like yoga with a broomstick. An extension of the witchcraft, or elite level stretching? There are tennis and padel courts, too, but no tournament-style games room with Xboxes and PlayStations. The upshot? Uno and conversation have been the nightly pursuits, and that lo-fi camaraderie is what Tuchel wants to cultivate. At Bayern Munich, he was annoyed when some of his players spoke only German during meal times in the presence of Kane, shortly after his arrival in Bavaria. He knew they could speak English and believed it right that they did so. His goal was togetherness. He responded by flipping team-talks from German to English, knowing it was the most commonly understood language. Tuchel will encourage inclusion and, you feel, reward character. He likes Jordan Henderson. He has been quietly taken by Dan Burn, who brings stature in more ways than one. He admires those who lean in. Because of that, he worries about those who can appear withdrawn and drift to the edges. How his players interact around a dinner table, darts board or pack of cards might just reveal more to him than any GPS or climate-control numbers. This stay in Spain is not just a boot camp, it's a social laboratory. Big Brother in the sun — part science, part sociology. The bonds formed over Uno might just keep the deck from crashing down in North America. There is a football match to follow this weekend, but by then the England boss might know the score on a few more pressing match-ups. Ollie Watkins versus Ivan Toney in attack. Are they better than Dominic Solanke, left at home this time? Alexander-Arnold versus Kyle Walker versus Reece James. Yes, he has brought three right backs! Then there are Henderson, Rice, Conor Gallagher and Curtis Jones in midfield. Pivots, not divots, are Tuchel's concern. The German arrived here with many questions and, while he will not leave with all of the answers, a week beneath the sun would have shone a light on them.
CNA
12 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
England defender Millie Bright withdraws from Euro squad consideration
MANCHESTER, England :Chelsea defender Millie Bright has withdrawn her name from consideration for England's squad for next month's European Championship, saying she is not at her best. Bright made the announcement in an Instagram post on Wednesday, on the eve of England's Euro 2025 squad selection. "My pride and ego tells me to go but I think the team and the fans deserve more," she wrote. "Right now I'm not able to give 100 per cent mentally or physically." The 31-year-old England vice-captain, who called it one of the hardest decisions she has ever had to make, had already withdrawn from England's recent camp for Nations League games against Portugal and Spain saying she was mentally and physically at her limit after the domestic season. Her withdrawal ahead of the Euros in Switzerland, where England will defend their 2022 title, is a big blow to Sarina Wiegman's squad after veteran goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her international retirement recently. "Football has given me so much, and representing my country has always been my greatest honour," Bright said. "As much as I want to be out there running through brick walls for England and fighting alongside my team mates, stepping back is the right thing for my health, my future in the game and most importantly the team. "It wouldn't be fair for me to take the place and opportunity away from another player who is ready and able to give everything for the badge and country." Fran Kirby also announced her international retirement on Tuesday after learning she would not be named in Wiegman's Euros squad. Considered one of the best defenders in the women's game, Bright helped Chelsea to their sixth successive Women's Super League title last month. They became the first team to go unbeaten in a 12-team, 22-game WSL campaign. Bright has six goals and 88 caps for England and captained the Lionesses at the 2023 World Cup where they finished runners-up to Spain.
New York Times
13 hours ago
- General
- New York Times
Lee Carsley signs new contract to stay England Under-21s head coach
Lee Carsley has signed a new contract to continue in his role as England Under-21 head coach. The new deal will take him through to the end of the 2027 European Under-21 Championship, the Football Association (FA) said, and comes on the eve of the 2025 tournament. England, defending champions from 2023, face Czechia, Slovenia and Germany in the group stage in Slovakia. Advertisement 'I'm delighted to extend my time with the FA,' Carsley said. 'It's a privilege to have the opportunity to work with a young, talented group and help develop them on the international stage. 'While the future is exciting, our immediate priority is this summer's UEFA Under-21 Euros in Slovakia as we attempt to emulate the achievement of Dave Sexton's teams in 1982 and 1984.' "An easy decision." ✅ Hear from Lee Carsley on his new deal at The @FA as he prepares to lead the #YoungLions at this month's #U21EURO finals. — England (@England) June 4, 2025 Carsley stepped up to take over the senior side last autumn following Gareth Southgate's exit as manager after Euro 2024. He took charge for six games, with England winning five them including away victories at the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece. Thomas Tuchel eventually took over the senior team with Carsley previously indicating he had not applied for the position on a permanent basis. Carsley began his coaching career with roles at Coventry City, Sheffield United, Brentford, Manchester City and Birmingham City before stepping into the national setup with the Under-20s side in 2020. He replaced Aidy Boothroyd at Under-21 level in 2021 and has earned widespread praise for both the results and the style of football he has implemented with the younger generation of players. Carsley made 340 top-flight appearances as a player and won 40 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, including playing at the 2002 World Cup. ()
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Why time is right for resilient 'Mini Messi' Kirby to end England career
Fran Kirby's international career epitomised what resilience, combined with serious talent, can countless set-backs on and off the pitch, Kirby enjoyed a successful 11-year England career, picking up 77 caps and a European championship winners medal along the 31-year-old midfielder announced her decision to retire from international football an hour after England's defeat by Spain on Tuesday, and just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps had done the while Earps' retirement stunned England supporters, with many questioning the timing and the potential disruption it would cause, Kirby's announcement made more had fallen down the pecking order but was set to be number two to Hannah Hampton at Euro 2025 - which kicks off in four weeks - but Kirby had been told by manager Sarina Wiegman she was not going to make the ultimately made Kirby's decision an easy one. She had done all she could and her time was up. What has led to the decision? Kirby's talent has never been questioned. She will go down as one of England's greatest servants and one of the most unique players we have ever seen in the women's it not been for a series of lengthy injuries and illnessess, Kirby would undoubtedly have made a century of international appearances. Knee and ankle issues began in 2017, then two years later she needed treatment for pericarditis - an inflammation of the fluid-filled sac around the heart - which was potentially took time out as she struggled with fatigue in the build-up to Euro 2022, while another knee injury, that required surgery, forced her to miss the 2023 World issues became more frequent after that. Having missed February's Nations League games, she was called up to the squad for the double-header against Belgium in April, only to have to sit out the first fitness concerns no doubt played a part in Wiegman's decision not to take her to Switzerland and Kirby knew that was her last opportunity to play in another major tournament. They had "honest conversations" last month and when the reality became clear, Kirby's decision was made."She's an amazing player and an incredible person too. She did everything to make the squad," said Wiegman. "She has always, when she was in [camp], been ready to play and to perform, helping others and doing whatever I asked her to do. "There is a time, I guess, you stop. She has to get used to that. I am really proud of her and grateful I got to work with her." 'Mini Messi' who 'lit up the stage' Kirby is a generational talent who has played a major role in the growth of women's football in England, as well as the success of the national became the first player from the WSL 2 to be called up to England's senior squad in 2014 and impressed at the World Cup a year later, earning the nickname "mini Messi" from former boss Mark as both an attacking midfielder and a wide forward, Kirby has entertained with trickery, creativity and unpredictability ever experience shone through in 2022 as she started all six games during England's success, complementing the youthful talent breaking through."I love working with her. Her touch, her positioning, her vision, her game-understanding and her connections," said Wiegman."She has had an incredible career and it is still going on in the Women's Super League. I am really proud of her and grateful I got to work with her."Kirby's ability to turn a game on its head and produce a moment of magic is what led to her "mini Messi" nickname. Former England manager Phil Neville said after a friendly win over Brazil in 2018, that he would "take my number 10 over Brazil's" when comparing Kirby's impact on the game to six-time World Player of the Year Marta' while she has been on the fringes of the England squad in recent times, she could always be relied upon to do the job being asked of her."I remember 10 years ago she got the nickname and rightly so, because she just lit up the stage in an England shirt," said defender Lucy Bronze. "I think all the players who now play for England probably dreamed of playing with Fran Kirby one day. She was that good." 'She can hold her head up high' Kirby's achievements with England are carved in history - she was a key part of the squad that won the Lionesses first major it is how she has dealt with personal tragedy and setbacks that makes her success even more glowing pride at Kirby's career was clear to see on Tuesday and Bronze said it was "unbelievable" what the former Chelsea midfielder had overcome."She has had lots of ups and downs but she can hold her head up really high for what she has achieved," England's record goalscorer Ellen White told the Women's Football Weekly podcast."I just thank her for what she has done for England and football. I have incredible memories."Kirby quit football as a teenager after suffering from depression following the death of her mother when she was just spoke about her grief in 2019, external in a piece for the Players Tribune, weeks before she helped England reach the World Cup University of Winchester acknowledged her work raising awareness of mental health by rewarding her an honourary degree later that illness followed, and she had further doubts about her career, but bounced back again for Euro year, she spoke out about body image issues in the women's game and the impact of social media even after her latest knee injury, she left Chelsea following a nine-year stint to join Brighton and ended the season as the club's player of the year."Just remember you can," were the words Kirby used in her statement to announce her retirement, a fitting last reminder of her resilience. Head here to get involved
The Independent
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Harry Kane greets Lewis Hamilton as England players take in Spanish Grand Prix
England players got Thomas Tuchel's second international camp under way with a day out at the Spanish Grand Prix in the Barcelona sun. Captain Harry Kane, who led a large contingent of players at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, greeted Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton before the race and offered his support for McLaren's Lando Norris. Kane was asked by former world champion Nico Rosberg if he had any advice for Norris, who is embroiled in a title battle with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri. 'For him it's all about preparation. I am sure he is prepared to the best of his ability and then it's going out there and being free. He knows he can do it, he's won enough already so hopefully he can go all the way,' Kane told Sky Sports. 'I watch the F1 as much as I can and obviously a few English guys doing well this season, so I'm looking forward to seeing them.' Kane briefly caught up with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes before the ninth race of the 2025 season started at 2pm. England boss Tuchel was also at the track ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Andorra in Barcelona. Dan Burn was one of several England players shown around McLaren's garage, whilst Chelsea quartet Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer were in attendance after Wednesday's Europa Conference League success. Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka were also present. John Stones joined the squad too after it was announced earlier on Sunday that he would continue his rehabilitation from injury with the England squad in Spain. Stones has been sidelined since February with a thigh injury and is not fit enough to feature in this month's fixtures with Andorra and Senegal. However, the Manchester City defender has decided to link up with the national team for the first time since Tuchel took over, having last played for England in October and only managed 20 club appearances during another injury-ravaged 2024-25 campaign. Newcastle defender Burn has benefitted from the absence of Stones and made his long-awaited senior debut at the age of 33 against Albania in March. He is eager to catch the eye again in Saturday's Group K fixture with Andorra, which will take place at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium. Burn added: 'I'm hot, actually very hot but I'm excited though. First time I've been at the Formula One.' Asked about upcoming opponents Andorra, Burn insisted: 'I don't know about formality, they're all tough games but excited for another camp and another World Cup qualifier.'
