England captain Harry Kane has urged the national team to protect the strong culture that has been built in recent years, following a number of withdrawals from the squad ahead of Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Nine players were forced to pull out on Monday, prompting Kane to voice his concerns.
Ahead of England’s 3-0 win over Greece, Kane told ITV that he was disappointed by the high number of withdrawals, stressing that “England comes before club.” He emphasized that representing the national team should be a priority, particularly in the November international camp, which traditionally comes at a demanding point in the season.
In a media interview before Sunday’s match against the Republic of Ireland, Kane addressed the issue further, clarifying that his comments were based on his personal view. “I probably didn’t expect it to get as much coverage as it did, but it was my opinion,” he said. “November camps are always tough. If you look back at previous years, other players have pulled out as well. It’s a hard time of year, but these camps are vital for building the team and maintaining that unity.”
Reflecting on the significant progress made under former manager Gareth Southgate, who revitalized the national team and led them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and back-to-back European Championship finals, Kane warned that such success can quickly slip away if the team isn’t careful.
“Building a culture takes time, but it can be lost quickly if you’re not mindful,” Kane said. “These autumn camps, even if they’re after big tournaments, are important for keeping that culture strong.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Kane emphasized that the current Nations League fixtures were crucial for setting the tone for the future. “If we win against Ireland, it gives us a great foundation for the year ahead,” he said. “These are the camps where we continue to build the team spirit and togetherness that will be essential in the World Cup.”
With Thomas Tuchel set to take over as England manager in January, Kane acknowledged that the incoming coach will likely bring his own ideas to the team, but emphasized that experienced players have a responsibility to pass on the lessons they’ve learned from recent tournaments. “I’m sure Thomas will have his own vision and way of doing things, but we’ve had good experiences in recent years,” Kane said. “It’s important to share that knowledge with the younger players who might not have had as much exposure.”
Kane was notably dropped to the bench for the win against Greece, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins starting in his place. The Bayern Munich forward came on as a substitute in the 66th minute, admitting to being “a little bit” surprised by the decision. “I’ve made it clear that I want to start every game and try to help the team,” Kane said. “But I understood the decision, even though it was new for me.”
Despite being benched, Kane was quick to reaffirm his confidence in his own form, telling BBC Radio 5 Live, “I’m here because I’m one of the top goalscorers in the world. Sometimes people think I’m just here because I’m the captain, but that’s not the case. I’m in the best form I’ve ever been in.”
