Harry Kane appeals for commitment to England amid squad withdrawals

England National Team Captain Harry Kane has voiced his frustration with recent withdrawals from the squad, which have impacted preparations for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.

Kane emphasized that representing the national team should take priority over club commitments, a sentiment he believes is essential to fostering commitment to international duty.

In an interview with ITV Sport, Kane declared, “England comes before anything. England comes before the club,” reinforcing his belief in the unique significance of playing for one’s country.

News360 Nigeria reports that a total of eight players have pulled out of the squad, leaving interim manager Lee Carsley to work with a reshuffled lineup for England’s final two games before Thomas Tuchel steps into the managerial role in January.

High-profile players missing from the roster include Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Bukayo Saka.

Kane also reflected on the approach of former England manager Gareth Southgate, who set a firm standard for dedication to the national team. Kane noted, “England is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer, and Gareth was firm on that. He wasn’t afraid to make decisions if that commitment started to drift,” underscoring the significance of unwavering loyalty to the team.

Meanwhile, Supersport and Yahoo Sports reported on Wednesday that Kane expressed concern over a potential “shift in priorities” this season.

“It’s a shame this week, obviously,” Kane reflected. “I think it’s a tough period of the season, and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit. I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. England comes before anything, any club situation.”

The replacements list has been fluid, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite initially joining the squad before also withdrawing. Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah is set to fill in, having already trained with the squad over the past two days.

To secure promotion to League A, England likely needs to defeat both Greece in Athens on Thursday and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday, marking a pivotal period for the squad amidst Kane’s call for renewed dedication to the England cause.