Scanning offers players like Odegaard an edge as game gets quicker

The headset goes on and I am transported from a central London meeting room to the centre circle of a match simulation. I have selected the role of holding midfielder. I grip a controller in each hand, thumb hovering over the pass button.

After a short countdown, a passage of build-up play begins at the feet of a virtual team-mate. My task is to receive the ball and choose the appropriate pass, all while every movement of my head, and every subsequent decision, is logged and analysed.