Harry Kane expected to be rested vs Greece in what is expected to be a crucial game for the Three Lions in Athens.
Harry Kane is set to be a shock omission from Lee Carsley’s England team for Thursday’s must-win Nations League match against Greece
The skipper has arrived in the Greek city and is thought to be healthy. The news of his selection is said to have shocked the dressing room, which has been rocked by a wave of withdrawals.
During his interim stay, Carsley has been eager to try new things. Last month, he started Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as false nines in an ultra-attacking lineup against Greece at Wembley, which resulted in a devastating 2-1 loss. Evidently unfazed, he is anticipated to favour Ollie Watkins in the No. 9 position this time.
In an interview he pre-recorded with ITV on Tuesday, Kane expressed his concern over whether some of his teammates share his belief that club should never come before country. Kane has never concealed the fact that England always comes first for him. Nine players have left Carsley’s final team while he was interim manager; some are obviously injured, while others run the risk of being accused of abusing the position. Kane is concerned that the ethos Gareth Southgate cultivated has faded.
“The joy to play for England – he brought that back,” Kane 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. It comes before club. England, it’s 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.”
Kane was, however, far more positive about the appointment of Tuchel. “I was surprised to be honest,” he said. “I was not expecting it. We worked with Thomas last year and had a really good relationship with him and expected him to go back to club football but I was pleasantly surprised and he was a big part of me going to Bayern Munich. He is an all-round great person and he will bring a lot of energy and passion to the team. You have to try and pick the best coach to win a major tournament and we are at that stage now.
“The only step is to win and Thomas brings a winning mentality. Especially at tournaments, something he excels in. Tactically, he is one of the best managers there is. He had a certain way at Bayern but that was different to Chelsea. So it will be interesting to see how he sees us. Tactically he has an amazing brain and he understands all the small things which matter.”