Kane Disappointed Cricketers Withdraw From England Squad

Photo : Reuters

England captain Harry Kane has expressed disappointment over the high number of withdrawals from the national squad ahead of crucial Nations League matches. The England team, fresh off their runner-up finish in Euro 2024, is preparing to face Greece on Thursday and Ireland at Wembley on Sunday. However, the buildup to these crucial matches has been overshadowed by several key players pulling out of the squad.

The camp, led by interim manager Lee Carsley for the final time before Thomas Tuchel takes over as England’s new manager, has seen a significant shakeup due to eight last-minute player withdrawals. The situation has frustrated Kane, who highlighted the importance of prioritizing the national team over club commitments. 

Speaking to ITV, Kane shared his belief in the importance of representing England and noted the positive atmosphere that former manager Gareth Southgate had fostered in the national setup. “I think the joy to play for England—that’s what Gareth brought back. Every camp, players were excited to be here, to play for England,” Kane said. “England comes before anything. England comes before the club.”

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The Bayern Munich forward did not hold back in expressing his concerns about the timing of the withdrawals, hinting that club priorities may be taking precedence during this challenging period in the football calendar. “It’s a tough period of the season, and maybe that’s being taken advantage of a bit,” Kane said. “If I’m honest, I don’t like it. England should come before anything, any club situation.”

Carsley initially selected a 26-man squad for this Nations League double-header. Still, injuries and other reasons led to the departure of several high-profile players, including Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer. Five new players were called up to fill the gaps, but Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, one of the replacements, has struggled to participate in training and remains doubtful about the upcoming matches.

Despite these challenges, Kane will lead the team at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, fully aware of the importance of Thursday’s game. A win is essential if England is to keep its hopes of automatic promotion alive. The situation underscores the dedication of the team’s senior players, who now face added pressure in light of the many absences.