England captain and Spurs talisman Harry Kane has insisted that there isn’t a single player in the National Team squad who is guaranteed to start every single match at the European Championships – including himself.
He led the line well against Croatia and won some important fouls in the latter stages of the match to relieve some pressure off the defence, but he found it difficult to get himself into goalscoring positions or receive enough service to give him a sight of goal.
The most 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 of strikers.
It's time for @HKane to shine at #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fdL8PquIXI
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 13, 2021
The striker did come under criticism though for missing a big chance in the second-half to make it 2-0, as Duje Caleta-Car put him off just enough so he couldn’t steer the ball goal-bound from close range, before colliding hard with the post and being winded.
However, it’s unlikely Kane will be dropped for the show-stopping clash with Scotland on Friday night – but with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Marcus Rashford both desperate for opportunities to score at the Euros, the Spurs man might need to step it up a notch and fire England to the knockout stages to absolutely guarantee his spot in the starting line-up.
Gary Neville: "There is no way Calvert Lewin starts ahead of Harry Kane. He is someone who's mentally untouchable. He's solid in his mind and is England's BEST player by a mile!" #ENG #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/7vS4m9jHOc
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) June 15, 2021
“You will have to ask Gareth but I never look at it that way,” said Kane, reassuring the media and fans that he doesn’t believe he is undroppable.
” [Team selection] is not my decision. I will train as hard as I can to play and that is the aim to try and lead the boys out and win the games.
“We have great competition for places. Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] has come in and done great.
“For me it is about training how I train every day try and be the best and try and improve every day and when I play try and give my best for the team.
“I think that is what everyone is doing at the moment and I am sure there will be rotation among all the players in this tournament and everyone is waiting for the chance to try and make an impact.”
"Sometimes we take things for granted, we take football for granted and then life for granted. That was a reminder that things can be taken away quickly" 🗣
Well said Harry Kane 👏#ITVFootball #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/wmQ5oJP64I
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
Kane may line-up alongside former Spurs players Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker once again on Friday like against Croatia, with the former being played in the left-back position despite being a natural right-back.