Gareth Southgate revealed that he denied Harry Kane’s request to take England’s penalty against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their recent friendly match. Despite winning 3-0, Southgate refused Kane’s “audacious” plea, opting instead for Cole Palmer to convert the penalty. Southgate had planned to give Kane only half an hour of playtime in the match before starting him in the upcoming game against Iceland.
The match itself was initially lackluster, with England struggling to break through Bosnia’s defense. However, Southgate was pleased with the team’s intensity and felt that their quality eventually prevailed. He also highlighted the strong performances of individual players, particularly Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze. Palmer impressed by linking the game well and scoring his first goal for England, while Eze showcased his movement and power on the field.
Southgate now faces the challenge of narrowing down his 33-man provisional squad to 26 players for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. Both Palmer and Eze have made compelling cases for inclusion in the final squad, with their performances in the friendly against Bosnia. Southgate praised their contributions and was delighted to see young players thrive in the national team environment.
As the team prepares for Euro 2024, Southgate emphasized the need for players to continue playing with freedom and confidence. He acknowledged that there were areas where improvements could be made, such as Palmer taking shots earlier instead of being too precise. Overall, Southgate expressed his satisfaction with the match and hoped that the team had come through without any issues.
In conclusion, while Gareth Southgate denied Harry Kane’s request to take a penalty against Bosnia-Herzegovina, this decision allowed Cole Palmer to score his first goal for England. The match showcased the team’s intensity and individual performances, particularly from Palmer and Eze. Southgate now faces tough decisions in finalizing the squad for Euro 2024, but he is impressed with the young players’ contributions and hopes they continue to play with freedom and confidence.