Harry Kane has responded to Gary Lineker’s criticism of England’s Euro 2024 campaign by saying former national team players have a “responsibility” to consider the impact of their words.
England have come under scrutiny after a 1-1 draw with Denmark in their second Euro 2024 group game, with former striker Lineker branding the performance “s***”.
Kane said that while he understood pundits had a duty to be honest, he added that former players should be aware of the challenges of representing England, given the historic and ongoing failures of the nation during major tournaments.
Asked specifically about Lineker’s comments, Kane responded: “What former players need to understand is that it’s very difficult not to listen to him now, especially for some players who aren’t used to it or who are new to the industry.
“I always feel like they have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and give their opinion, but they also have a responsibility as a former England player who many players looked up to. People care about what they say and listen to them.
“Everyone has their opinion, but the bottom line is we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that as well, so they know how difficult it is.
“It’s not about digging anyone up. It’s just the reality: they know it’s difficult to play in these major tournaments and difficult to play for England.
“I will not disrespect any player. All I would say is remember what it’s like to wear the shirt and let their words be heard. You hear it.
“We all want to win a major tournament. Being as helpful as possible and giving the guys confidence would be a much better way to go.
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Lineker, 63, scored 48 times in 80 matches for England between 1984 and 1992. He won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup and was part of the England team that reached the semi-finals. World Cup finals at Italia 90.
After England’s draw against Denmark, Lineker told the Rest is Football podcast: “I think we have to reflect the mood of the nation. I can’t imagine anyone English would have enjoyed this performance because it was lethargic, dour. You can think of all sorts of words and curse words if you want, but it was crap. »
Kane scored his first Euro goal against Denmark but admitted he had personally been below average in the opening two games.
“I try to refrain as much as possible from seeing and reading media criticism,” he added. “I think it’s almost impossible not to see certain things these days with all the different platforms.
“As a player everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I know that in a major football tournament that will always be heightened, performance will be scrutinized. If I’m honest with myself…have I played hard best I can?
“But I didn’t score in the group stage at the World Cup, I didn’t score in the group stage at the Euros. So from my point of view, it’s a bonus to have a goal in advance. I would always judge myself first and I know I can play better and I know a lot of players on the team think the same thing: that we can all play a little better. That’s what I do. I’m not panicking. I don’t go too high or too low. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and move on to the next one.
Kane expects England to improve at Euro 2024 (Stefan Matzke – sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
Kane was replaced in the second half of England’s draw with Denmark, after missing the conclusion of the German domestic season with a back injury.
Although there have been concerns over the 30-year-old’s fitness, he insisted he feels fresh and has no fears of injury.
“I thought the preparation before the tournament was good for me personally,” Kane said. “Even in the tournament matches, the first match, I felt as fit as I had all season. Of course, I know I came out in the second game, but that was due to the fact that the coach wanted to see (something) different, maybe freshen up the top players in particular.
“From my point of view, I’m in good shape, I’m getting better and better every game and I’m getting fitter and fitter. I’ve talked about the same thing in previous tournaments, about trying to make sure you peak towards the most important part of the tournament, which is the eliminations.
“As always, time will tell. If we are eliminated there will be a lot of questions asked but from my point of view I think coming into this knockout phase (this is important) you feel 100 percent and I feel like I’m there am.
Gareth Southgate’s side prepare for their final Group C clash against Slovenia on Tuesday and currently sit top with four points.
After Denmark’s draw, Southgate said England were not at the “physical level” to press high up the pitch.
Kane suggested England’s difficulties with pressing came from playing against three defenders against Serbia and Denmark. Slovenia lined up in defense in their first two group stage matches, and the England captain said he hoped his side could produce a more energetic display.
“I think the two games against the bottom three caused us a bit of confusion on the pitch,” he said. “We had prepared before the match. But then I just think there were some things where we couldn’t get the pressure that we wanted and we weren’t 100% sure when to go and that’s tough.
“I don’t think we were great with the ball, which made us seem like we were just running and running constantly. So it was difficult to reverse that dynamic. I think in the next game the threat will be different because of the formation… it will probably be different from Slovenia I hope we can show a little more energy and enthusiasm, especially without the ball and I think it will help us with the ball as well.
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Harry Kane walked into the English media room at Blankenhain Castle, won a darts match, sat down, answered questions, took a sip of water and then left.
But the middle section, where the England captain spent 40 minutes setting the record straight from the side’s point of view, was particularly illuminating.
It was decided on Sunday morning that Kane would be the player to speak at the open press conference, as part of a wider Football Association strategy regarding whose voices will be heard and when, with Kane being more happy to speak. the responsibility.
Athleticism analyze what he said and what it meant
Critics of England
“At the end of the day, we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that. They know how difficult it is,” Kane said in reference to Lineker’s jibe.
Lineker wasn’t the only pundit to criticize England’s performance against Denmark but, as the face of football coverage for the UK’s national broadcaster, his words mean more than most.
Kane, while remaining respectful and issuing multiple warnings, clearly wanted to defend the team following the negativity directed at them.
His own physical form
“I felt as fit as I had all season. I know I came out in the second game, but that was because the coach wanted to see something different and freshen up the top players. It’s important to approach this knockout phase 100% and I feel like I’m there.
Kane was quick to dispel the notion he was not fully fit, after missing Bayern Munich’s final game of the season with a back injury.
He has looked off pace in England’s first two matches at Euro 2024 but sought to reassure supporters that there was no need to worry about his fitness levels.
Tactical struggles in the first matches
“I just think the two games played against the bottom three caused us a bit of confusion on the pitch. We had prepared before the match. But then I just think there were some things where we couldn’t get the pressure we wanted and we didn’t know 100% when to go and that’s tough.
After the Denmark match, Kane said the players didn’t know when they should have applied pressure. It was a crushing revelation. And he has now added a bit more context to that assessment, noting how he played against three backs who disrupted the forward line’s triggers. Playing against the four Slovenian defenders should alleviate this problem.
Stay “calm” and carry on
“I think we are calm. A lot of us came here and did it and we gave the England fans some fantastic times. I know 99 percent (of the fans) are fully behind us. Then, after the tournament, you can judge us.
The word “calm” was used by Kane three times in as many responses during his press conferences.
The message coming out of the England camp after Denmark is that, although the performances have been lackluster, they remain relaxed – or try to. Kane reiterated that message on Sunday, urging fans to keep their final judgment until the end of the Three Lions tournament.
(Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
News Source : www.nytimes.com
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