Football news - 'My mental health plummeted' - Tyrone Mings explains pressure at Euro 2020

ByAlexander Netherton

Updated 02/08/2021 at 08:15 GMT

After feeling under pressure and the subject of doubts over his place at the Euro 2020 finals, Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings said that his “mental health plummeted” ahead of the tournament. The 28-year-old centre-back started England's first two games as Manchester United defender Harry Maguire recovered from injury.

England and Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has said that his "mental health plummeted" ahead of the Euro 2020 finals because he thought people did not think he deserved a place in the team.

With Manchester United’s Harry Maguire out with injury at the start of the tournament, Mings started the first two games for England in their group stage.

In order to cope with the pressure, the 28-year-old former Bournemouth players said he spoke to a psychologist.

Premier League

Chelsea closing in on Nkunku signing from RB Leipzig - reports

28/11/2022 at 15:18

• Partey injury could ruin Arsenal's preseason - The Warm-Up
• Opinion: Havertz can take league by storm after debut season filled with challenges
• £100m Grealish transfer puts Man City's Kane pursuit under threat - Paper Round

"When 90-95% of your country are having doubts over you, it's very difficult to stop this intruding on your own thoughts," he told the Sun.

"I did have a tough time in the lead-up to the opening game against Croatia.

"I think I'm a lot more hardened to outside influences now, but my mental health did plummet.

"And I have no shame in admitting that because there were so many unknowns about me going to that game.

‘We are trying to educate and inform a minority’ – Mings hits back at Patel

"I was probably the only name on the team sheet that people thought, 'not sure about him'. And that was something I had to overcome.

"So I did a lot of work on that with my psychologist. I was given a lot of coping mechanisms - whether it was breathing, meditation, or just learning how to bring yourself into the present moment. To stop letting your subconscious take over.

"It was hard. I didn't really sleep very well before that first game."

Mings two starts saw the national team keep a clean sheet against Croatia, and then Scotland. England finished as runners-up to Italy after losing on penalties.

Premier League

Ten Hag insists Man Utd can be ‘dangerous’ but must be more ruthless

01/09/2022 at 22:05

Premier League

Andersen reports messages of abuse to police after Nunez red card

16/08/2022 at 18:09

Premier League

'Concerning is maybe not the right word' - Ten Hag on Ronaldo absence

00:01:57

|

22/07/2022 at 10:20