​Aston Villa defender Mings reveals mental health struggles during Euro 2020 | OneFootball

Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings admits he suffered from mental health problems during Euro 2020.

The centre-back played in the first two group stage games for the Three Lions, covering for the injured Harry Maguire.

England went on to reach the final of the tournament, losing on penalties to Italy at Wembley after a 1-1 draw.

Mings says he saw a psychologist during the tournament.

"I did have a tough time in the lead-up to the opening game against Croatia," Mings told The Sun.

"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.

"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.

"When 90-95 per cent of your country are having doubts over you, it's very difficult to stop this intruding on your own thoughts.

"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."