Harry Kane warns England players they risk losing the 'fragile' culture built under Southgate quickly if they do not commit to international duty.
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Nine players pulled out of international duty last week.Palmer, Saka and Foden all dropped out of squadKane states 'England should come before everything'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After emphasizing that England duty should come before club matters earlier this week, Kane has once again gone on the record to state how easy it is to lose team culture in one or two international breaks, after nine of his compatriots dropped out of the squad ahead of England's clashes with Greece and Ireland.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With key players such as Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden all absent from Lee Carsley's squad amongst others, the England team has had to hand call-ups to a few less high-profile names including Liverpool's Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, as well as Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle's full-back pairing of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
Kane is also with squad, highlighting how important England duty is to him despite their opponents lacking the quality challenge that appears to appeal so much to the missing youngsters.
After his revealing interview addressing the situation earlier in the week, Kane has once again called for his younger compatriots to commit themselves to their international call-up, regardless of the opposition.
WHAT KANE SAID
Asked about the nature of the culture built under former England coach Gareth Southgate in an interview with the Telegraph, Kane said: "It takes a long time to build, and maybe not so long to lose if you’re not careful. But I think we’re well aware of that, the experienced players. Lee’s done a great job. I’m sure Thomas [Tuchel] will come in with his own ideas about how he wants to build his culture”
“That [team spirit] will just naturally build,” Kane said. “It isn’t just these camps. I think from now until the World Cup, step by step you build that culture. I think it’s down to me and some of the older ones, like Walks [Kyle Walker] and Picks [Jordan Pickford] who’ve been here for a while, to start showing that to some of the younger players coming through."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KANE AND ENGLAND?
With the next international break not until March, Kane will hope that his words resonated with those missing from the current squad, and he will be looking ahead to March in the hope that the squad has a more complete compliment of players. If they are to impress future coach Thomas Tuchel, they need to show up first.