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 in Athens.
Harry Kane is poised to be a surprising exclusion from Lee Carsley’s England squad for the crucial Nations League match against Greece in Athens on Thursday.
The captain has arrived in the Greek capital and is not reported to be injured, yet the news of his omission has reportedly taken the dressing room by surprise, particularly in light of several recent withdrawals.
During his interim management, Carsley has expressed a desire to experiment; he previously deployed Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as false 9s in an overly aggressive formation against Greece at Wembley last month, which resulted in a disappointing 2-1 loss. Undeterred by this setback, he is anticipated to favor Ollie Watkins in the central forward position for this match.
Kane has consistently emphasized that representing England is his top priority. In a pre-recorded interview with ITV on Tuesday, he expressed concern that some teammates may not share this sentiment, asserting that club commitments should never take precedence over national duty. Carsley has faced the challenge of nine players withdrawing from his final squad during his interim period—while some are genuinely injured, others may be perceived as exploiting the situation. Kane is apprehensive that the culture fostered by Gareth Southgate may be diminishing.
“The joy of playing for England—he restored that,” Kane remarked to ITV. “In every camp, players were eager to participate; everyone wanted to represent England. That is paramount. England takes precedence over everything else. For a professional footballer, playing for England is the most significant aspect. Gareth was very firm on that.
“He was unafraid to make tough decisions if he sensed a shift in commitment from certain players. It’s unfortunate this week. Clearly, it’s a challenging time in the season. Perhaps some have taken advantage of that. To be honest, I find it quite disheartening.”
The Everton defender, Jarrad Branthwaite, was substituted by Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah after he became the latest player to withdraw on Wednesday. England had previously lost Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, and Aaron Ramsdale.
Kane expressed a positive outlook regarding the appointment of Tuchel. “I was honestly surprised,” he remarked. “I did not anticipate it. I collaborated with Thomas last year and developed a strong rapport with him, expecting him to return to club football. However, I was pleasantly surprised, as he played a significant role in my move to Bayern Munich. He is an exceptional individual who will infuse the team with energy and passion. It is essential to select the best coach to secure a major tournament victory, and we have reached that critical juncture now.
“The sole objective is to win, and Thomas embodies a winning mentality. He particularly excels in tournament settings. Tactically, he ranks among the finest managers available. His approach at Bayern was distinct from that at Chelsea, so it will be intriguing to see his perspective on our team. He possesses an extraordinary tactical acumen and comprehends the nuances that are crucial.”
Kane is confident that the Football Association has appointed the appropriate successor to Southgate. “He communicates directly, whether you are performing well or poorly,” he stated. “He treats players as adults and is demanding on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Carsley has committed to adhering to his attacking philosophy in the match against Greece, aiming for a two-goal victory that will help his team regain their position in the top tier of the Nations League. The pressure is mounting, as England currently sits second in Nations League Group B2.
It is essential that we strive to secure a victory and deliver a commendable performance, Carsley stated. The priorities are clear. The team I intend to select will, as you might anticipate, adopt a rather offensive approach. This reflects my coaching philosophy and the mindset I wish to instill; I aim to prioritize attacking play. I am optimistic that this strategy will yield positive results.
Carsley, who may provide opportunities for debuts to Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, is facing a shortage of options. He felt compelled to assert that the value of England caps remains intact and found himself embroiled in a dispute regarding club versus country commitments.
Grealish has not participated in a match since October 20, and Pep Guardiola expressed his dissatisfaction with Grealish’s selection. Nevertheless, Guardiola’s claim that there had been no communication from the FA’s medical team was met with a response from Carsley.
“The medical teams maintain ongoing communication throughout the squad selection process, irrespective of whether matches are scheduled,” Carsley remarked. “We receive continuous updates. The medical departments exhibit excellent communication between club and country.
“It was always our intention to assess players who were at risk of missing out. Jack was among them. He underwent an assessment and was subsequently sent back; it was as straightforward as that.”
