GREAT BIT OF KIT IN GLORY BID
ENGLAND will be at a disadvantage before they kick a ball at the Euros. Gareth Southgate will fly out to Germany knowing that no squad at the tournament will have played more minutes over the season than his.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden featured in 61 games for club and country, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal made 58 and 51 appearances respectively.
But as the debate over player welfare and the risks of injury and burn-out continues to rage, England will be using the cuttingedge technology of a leading sports science and performance intelligence company to stay healthy.
Kitman Labs collect and collate thousands of statistics and data readings that will keep Southgate and his staff fully informed about the physical condition of the 23-man squad.
Stephen Smith, founder and CEO of Kitman Labs, explained: “The average number of minutes played by the players in England’s squad is the highest of any team at the Euros.
“And according to the bookies, the biggest threat to England actually winning the tournament will be France.
“When you realise the French players will have played on average around 10 per cent less than
Gareth Southgate’s squad, it becomes clear how important it will be for him to manage and rotate his team.
“The best teams will all have two or three key players who will have played more games and minutes for their clubs.
“It is hugely important to keep them fit and performing at their optimum level when the gap between games is so restricted over an intense five-week period.
“It means the ability to access the information you need to protect your athletes can often be the difference between winning and losing.
“We give coaches ability to ingest the information they need to make the best-informed decisions.”