Inside England's Kansas World Cup camp with slushies named after players and celebrity hairdresser drafted in

ENGLAND have found a refreshing new way to keep their England stars from overheating in training – signed off by boss Thomas “Too Cool”.

The Three Lions have two slushie machines inside the tent at their training ground in Kansas City, as part of their tie-up with energy drinks kings Lucozade.

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A slushie is usually made up of crushed ice and flavoured syrup, though England’s includes electrolytes to help them with the players’ recovery.

Every day at the Swope Soccer Village facility in Missouri the machines have two different flavours for the players to choose from as they come off the training pitch.

Those have included a blue-coloured blueberry one, a red raspberry one and even a green one believed to be either apple or lime.

Every day the drinks are given names punning off players in the squad.

They include “Jordan Ice Pickford” after the No1 goalkeeper, “Ice, Rice Baby”, in reference to midfielder Declan Rice, “Freeze James” for right-back Reece James, as well as the wittily-titled “Jarell Thirst Quencher”, relating to back-up defender Jarell Quansah.

Other names include Dan Brrrrrrn, Eberrrrrechi Eze, Ice Lolly Watkins, Marcus Rashberry, Cold Trafford (referencing goalie James Trafford) and Bluekayo Saka, because blue was the colour of that particular slushie.

There has also been Thomas Too Cool, in honour of boss Thomas Tuchel.

It adds to the other inventive methods England have been coming up with to beat the searing heat in the States.

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Those include a misting tent next to the training pitch and palm-cooling devices for players to hold.

Boss Tuchel has also been wearing a UV-ray protective hoodie during training to lessen the impact of the blazing sun.

Though, ironically, it is set to be far hotter back in the UK this week than the relatively mild 23 degrees England are forecast to play in against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

While Tuchel‘s side continue their World Cup preparations, the squad have been making the most of their downtime at their team base, The Inn at Meadowbrook – from cowboy hats and country music to celebrity haircuts, barbecues and fiercely competitive board games.

The England boss has encouraged his players to switch off from football when possible, with family visits, social activities and team bonding all part of the plan as the Three Lions chase World Cup glory.

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Dan Burn revealed he embraced local culture more than most after heading to a country music concert alongside captain Harry Kane and training goalkeeper Jason Steele.

Burn told The Telegraph: “I like my country music, so I had a cowboy hat on and cowboy boots and all sorts of stuff. Luckily there are no photos kicking about.

“I thought if you’re going to do it, do it properly. I had a good time because Ella Langley is an amazing country artist. It was nice that we get to do those things. Steely came with me and Harry.”

Kane is a huge fan of country music and was among those who met Alabama singer Langley before her concert in Kansas City.

Burn arrived later and missed out on the backstage introduction.

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He added: “I turned up a little bit later so I didn’t get to do that, but it was good.

“We missed the last three songs because we had to be back for curfew, which I was a bit gutted about because they were her three best ones.

“We’ve got a record player in the hotel and Harry did a captain’s pick. A lot of it is country music.”

Country tunes have become something of a soundtrack to England’s stay in Kansas, with the genre regularly played around the camp and even featuring during community events following their arrival.

Music is also a big part of training sessions.

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The players use a computerised wheel of fortune to decide who becomes camp DJ before matches, with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa recently taking control of the playlist.

His selections included 90s classic Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack.

Away from the training ground, England have completely taken over their boutique hotel, although some FA staff and executives have had to stay nearby due to limited space.

Keeping the players entertained remains a major focus.

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The squad have enjoyed barbecue nights, family visits and a growing list of competitive games as Tuchel looks to strengthen the togetherness within the group.

One favourite is Wolf – the card game that inspired BBC hit The Traitors.

Burn said: “We’ve been playing Wolf quite a little bit. They do get heated. So I’ve been watching a few of them before, trying to work out who the best liars are. But it is good.

“Backgammon’s also been a big one, which I’ve had to learn over the last few weeks. So I’m not great at it, but I’m trying.”

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Others have been spending their downtime playing Uno and Skyjo, a fast-paced card game that has become particularly popular with Jude Bellingham.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke have even been treated to trims from a celebrity hairdresser drafted into camp.

Kansas may be the home of The Wizard of Oz, and its famous reminder that “there’s no place like home” right now applies to Tuchel’s England squad in the Midwest.

The Three Lions have settled into life in Kansas, but while they may be feeling at home, their eyes are fixed firmly on a destination 1,200 miles away – following their own yellow brick road to the MetLife Stadium and the World Cup final on July 19.

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