Kane club versus country comments ‘just a reminder’ to England withdrawals

Harry Kane says his comments about club versus country received more attention than he expected and were “just a reminder” to his teammates rather than criticism.

England suffered nine injury withdrawals after Lee Carsley's squad was announced, with Kane seemingly questioning the efforts of those who dropped out, saying: “England comes before everything”.

Despite their many absences, a young England side recorded a 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday to move top of the Nations League group.

However, the Three Lions have since withdrawn from the squad for a tenth time, with Ezri Konsa returning to Aston Villa after leaving with a hip complaint in that game.

For the first time since that interview, Kane explained that he was keen to maintain the team culture that Gareth Southgate fostered by using these international breaks effectively.

“All the players try to do their best when they come to England. I know it is a very tough phase of the season,” he told a news conference.

“Whoever is in the squad is the most important thing. What we have here is the only thing we can work with.”

“In the future there will always be injuries, it's just whoever is in the squad who is ready to make a difference.”

Locked up pic.twitter.com/YSc5KKpJgy

— England (@England) November 16, 2024

On the attention his comments received, Kane added: “I didn't expect it to get as much attention as it did. November camp has always been tough – you're in the thick of a lot of games.

“So I believe it is very important after a major championship, where the camps in September, October and November are very important in a year leading up to the World Cup.

“These are also the camps where you build that culture and that togetherness that takes you to a World Cup. It was just a reminder that it is very special to play for England.”

Kane started the match against Greece on the bench, with Ollie Watkins taking the lead in his place. The Villa striker scored after seven minutes before being replaced by the England captain in the 66th minute.

Interim boss Carsley, who takes charge of his final match before Thomas Tuchel takes charge on January 1, confirmed Kane would be back in the starting line-up against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

“Yeah, he's definitely playing,” Carsley said.

“With Harry Kane you always think about goals, but he brings much more to the squad and the team than that. His leadership qualities are a good guy, which is also very important.”

“The example he sets for the younger players makes him a crucial part of the England team and moving forward.”

England and Greece are both level on twelve points after five games, but the former have a better head-to-head goal difference, so a win over Ireland would see them promoted back to League A.