Harry Kane's thinly-veiled criticism of England absentees increases current sense of drift.
England captain Harry Kane's diplomacy skills are almost as carefully crafted to the point of perfection as the marksmanship that has made him his country's all-time record goalscorer.on England team-mates for missing the forthcoming Uefa Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, it was a moment of wide significance.on 1 January has been chaotic even before a ball is kicked here in Athens, with eight players withdrawing from the original 26-man squad.
Kane told ITV: "I think the joy to play for England - he brought that back. Every camp people were excited and wanted to play for England. Here, Kane makes the assumption that every player - perhaps more pertinently every club - shares this unswerving commitment to England as the top priority above all else. This may not be so. Indeed, it may be some blue-sky thinking from a player, no matter how brilliant, who has not won a trophy in his career for club or country.team criticism from pundits during Euro 2024.
It should also be stated that those missing will insist they are absent for genuine reasons. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold lasted only 25 minutes of the 2-0 win against Aston Villa before going off with a hamstring injury. Arsenal's Declan Rice could only play 71 minutes of the draw at Chelsea with an already broken toe, while Bukayo Saka also went off injured. It is impossible to think any of those players would not want to have completed such important games.
It will be intriguing to see how Kane's words, which are sure to be interpreted as a thinly-veiled suggestion of some lead-swinging, are received by those who are in his crosshairs.One of Southgate's other big qualities was an ability to foster a fierce sense of unity in England's squad, not something that will be helped by suggestions from the captain that some may be more interested in club than country.
When Tuchel takes charge, three months will have passed since he signed his deal with the FA. No concrete reason has been offered as to why he starts on 1 January. It is a tidy date to start, but it looks like time wasted.
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