Harry Kane has hit out England’s swathe of Nations League dropouts, accusing some players of “taking advantage” of the timing of this month’s international break.
Eight players initially named in Lee Carsley’s squad pulled out of the camp on Monday, with Three Lions captain Kane warning teammates prioritising club football that “England comes before anything”.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish all withdrew from the England squad having initially been called up for games against Greece and Republic of Ireland, which are crucial to England’s promotion hopes.
While several of those names were genuinely forced off injured during the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, there has been a sense that some players and their clubs have taken a dull view of this international break in terms of importance.
It comes in the midst of a busy schedule that has seen the biggest clubs playing twice weekly for months now, and with the fixture list about to ramp up again during the infamously hectic festive period.
Carsley also remains in place as a lame duck manager, with Thomas Tuchel due to take over as Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor in the New Year but not expected to attend either game. However, Kane believes the culture created under Southgate is at risk.
“The joy to play for England – he brought that back,” the Bayern Munich forward 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. England comes before club. England, it’s is 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. England comes before anything, before any club situation.”
