By England captain Harry Kane has voiced frustration over the withdrawal of nine players from the squad ahead of crucial Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Kane expressed disappointment, hinting that some players might have overlooked the significance of representing their country, prioritizing club commitments instead.
“It’s a shame this week. It’s a tough period of the season, and maybe that’s being taken advantage of a little bit. England comes before anything,” said Kane, who is training despite injury concerns. He emphasized the legacy left by former manager Gareth Southgate, who “brought the joy of playing for England back” and stressed national pride over club loyalty.
England’s striker Harry Kane (C) stands with teammates during a training session at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England, on November 12, 2024, ahead of their UEFA Nations League B Group 2 football matches against Greece and Ireland. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP).
The list of absentees includes key players such as Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Jack Grealish, with Jarrad Branthwaite the latest to drop out. Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah has been called up as a replacement.
Lee Carsley, interim manager for these matches, downplayed any sense of disrespect from the withdrawals. “The focus is on the players here. With these changes, it’s an opportunity for others,” he said in Athens. Meanwhile, Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, promoted from the U21s, expressed his excitement, calling his call-up a “pinch-me moment.”
Paul Merson, a former England international, also commented on the situation, emphasizing that “country always comes before club” and that representing England is “the pinnacle of any player’s career.”
