Harry Kane Defends England’s Performance and Criticizes Ex-Players Turned Pundits
England captain Harry Kane has hit back at critics who have been harshly judging the team’s performances in Euro 2024. After disappointing matches against Serbia and Denmark, the Three Lions have faced heavy criticism from ex-players turned pundits such as Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker. However, Kane believes that these former players should remember what it was like to represent England and be more supportive of the current squad.
Kane emphasized the difficulty of playing for the national team, especially for young or new players who are not accustomed to the intense scrutiny. He acknowledged that ex-players have a right to their opinions, but they also have a responsibility to consider the impact of their words. Kane reminded them that their opinions are listened to by fans and players alike.
While understanding that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, Kane highlighted that England hasn’t won a major tournament in a long time and many of the current players were part of that history. He emphasized the tough nature of playing in major tournaments and representing England.
Instead of criticizing, Kane suggested that ex-players should use their platform to build confidence and support the current squad. He acknowledged that winning a major tournament is the ultimate goal for everyone involved and urged the ex-players to be more helpful in their commentary.
England’s lack of success in major tournaments since their 1966 World Cup triumph has been a source of frustration for fans. Gary Lineker experienced heartbreak in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals when England lost to West Germany on penalties, while Alan Shearer never made it past the quarter-finals. Harry Kane himself has reached two World Cup semi-finals and a Euros final, highlighting the difficulty of achieving success at this level.
In terms of recent performances, England’s match against Denmark ended in a drab 1-1 draw. SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the individual performances of the players, with Marc Guehi earning the highest rating as the star man. The defensive duo of John Stones and Kieran Trippier received average ratings, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s experiment in midfield was deemed unconvincing. Declan Rice had to cover a lot of ground in the first half and Bukayo Saka put in another solid showing as the most consistent attacker. However, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane both had underwhelming performances.
Overall, Kane’s defense of England’s performance and criticism of ex-players turned pundits highlights the pressure and challenges faced by the current national team. While acknowledging the need for improvement, he calls for more support and understanding from those who have worn the England shirt in the past. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how the team will respond to these criticisms and whether they can finally bring home a major trophy.