There are countless ways to motivate a football team, such as a rousing speech, a tactical masterclass, or a surprise appearance from a former England legend.
Or, if you’re Katie Price, you simply promise to get your kit off.
As Thomas Tuchel prepares to lead England into today’s World Cup clash against DR Congo, the Three Lions have received perhaps the most unexpected offer of support of the tournament so far.
Former glamour model Katie has vowed to pose completely naked if England win. Whether the squad were crying out for that particular incentive remains unclear.
Katie made the promise during an appearance on Kiss Breakfast with Chloe Burrows, where the conversation quickly veered from football analysis into territory only Katie Price could take it.
Asked what she’d say if she burst into England’s dressing room at half-time, Katie skipped the tactical breakdown altogether. ‘First of all I’d walk in and go, “Oi oi! Oi oi boys, get them legs out!”‘ she laughed.
Burrows suggested perhaps offering some football advice instead. Katie wasn’t interested.
‘You could take your shirts off as well,’ she replied. Then came the challenge.
Burrows asked her to complete one simple sentence: ‘If England win I will…’
‘I would do a naked shoot,’ she declared, in response. ‘And I’d cover my private parts with the Kiss sign.’
You have to admire the relentless brand discipline.
And mind you, football and glamour models have always enjoyed a strangely intertwined history.
The WAG era dominated the 2000s, tabloids practically invented an entire industry out of England tournaments, and every major competition seems to produce at least one celebrity who somehow decides they have a role to play in the discourse.
Katie may just have taken that tradition to its logical conclusion. Whether England’s players are even aware of the offer is another question entirely.
One imagines Tuchel’s pre-match briefing will probably focus on pressing shape, defensive organisation and breaking down DR Congo’s midfield rather than, ‘Right lads, remember what’s at stake here…’
Still, stranger motivational techniques have probably been tried, and the pledge arrives during another headline-filled week for Katie.
Her whirlwind marriage to Dubai businessman Lee Andrews has continued to dominate gossip columns after he claimed he’d ‘adopted’ all five of her children during a Cameo video.
‘I haven’t got children, but we’re trying,’ he said.
‘I’ve adopted five of them. I love my wife, and I love her children.’
Representatives for Katie’s ex-husband Peter Andre swiftly rejected the claim, calling it ‘categorically untrue’, while Lee also revealed he’d like to adopt Katie’s eldest son Harvey despite admitting they’ve never met.
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Compared with all that, promising the England team a nude photoshoot almost feels like a relatively normal Tuesday.
As for the football, England will be hoping today’s match ends with a place in the next round and another step towards World Cup glory.
If that also happens to result in Katie Price dusting off the studio lights for another glamour shoot, well… that’s probably not the reward the FA had in mind.