Harry Kane has delivered a slapdown to England’s long list of absentees, saying that club should never come before country and suggesting that certain players have used the packed calendar as an excuse to withdraw from Lee Carsley’s final camp in charge.
England’s captain and record goalscorer has never looked to shy away from international duty, even when he has been struggling with injury or fatigue, and he is frustrated that the sense of pride in the shirt seems to have disappeared since the departure of Gareth Southgate in July.
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Southgate was big on players turning up to squads and he managed to build an enjoyable team environment. But with Thomas Tuchel not taking over as head coach until the new year, there is a lack of excitement around this week’s Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Lee Carsley has seen nine players withdraw from his final squad in interim charge – some are obviously injured but others risk being accused of taking advantage of the situation – and Kane fears that the culture instilled by Southgate has ebbed away.
“The joy to play for England – he brought that back,” the striker told ITV. “Every camp people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England. That’s the most important thing. England comes before anything. England comes before club. England, it’s is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer. Gareth was hot on that.
“He wasn’t afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players. It’s a shame this week. Obviously it’s a tough period of the season. Maybe there’s been a little taking advantage of that. I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. England comes before anything, before any club situation.”
Eight players have withdrawn from the two games.
