RISHI Sunak told how he had “faith” that Harry Kane’s England team will come good after their faltering start at Euro 2024.
But as football fans across the nation are voicing their views over what Gareth Southgate needs to do to get England firing on all cylinders, the PM declined to thrown in his own opinion.
Asked in an interview with The Evening Standard whether the country should have faith in captain Kane and his team that they will come good in the end, Mr Sunak said: “Yes absolutely.
“I’ve got faith.”
Pressed on what needed to change after the lacklustre 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday, he added: “The last thing Gareth Southgate needs is advice from me.”
But he stressed: “I have absolute faith in the England team to go out there, give it their all and do us proud.
“Tuesday’s match is a big moment for our young squad so let’s get behind them, get to the pub and cheer them on.”
Many politicians will take a break from general election campaigning, including in London where there are around 20 battleground seats, to watch England’s game.
Kane has acknowledged that his performance so far at Euro 2024 has not been up to his own high standards, but he insisted he is fit amid speculation he may be having back problems.
England sit top of Group C ahead of Tuesday’s game against Slovenia, and Kane said a good win is important to send them into the knockout round with a bit of momentum.
He scored in the game against Denmark, after England beat Serbia in their first game, but has not looked in top form in either of their matches, leading to criticism from pundits and fans.
England, who are hoping to win their first European Championship, have not lived up to their pre-tournament billing as a favourite, so a decisive victory against Slovenia in Cologne is key, said Kane.
“We haven’t played the way we wanted to play,” he said. “Tuesday is important for the feeling of the group, we want to finish top and take the momentum into the knockout stages and just all round have a better feeling coming off the pitch and take that into the rest of the tournament.”
