Harry Kane has firmly addressed England's recent spate of absentees, asserting that club should never take precedence over country and implying that some players may have used the congested calendar as a pretext to withdraw from Lee Carsley's final camp.
As England's captain and all-time leading goal scorer, Kane has consistently prioritized international duty, even when dealing with injuries or fatigue. He is disheartened by the apparent decline in the sense of pride associated with wearing the national shirt since Gareth Southgate's departure in July.
Southgate was renowned for ensuring players attended squads and fostered a vibrant team atmosphere. However, with Thomas Tuchel not assuming the head coach role until the new year, there is a noticeable lack of enthusiasm surrounding this week's Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley has witnessed nine players withdraw from his interim squad—some due to genuine injuries, while others may be exploiting the situation. Kane worries that the culture cultivated by Southgate is gradually fading.
"The joy of playing for England—he restored that," Kane told ITV. "Every camp, people were eager to participate, every camp, people wanted to represent England. That's paramount. England should always come first. England should always come before club. For a professional footballer, representing England is the pinnacle. Gareth was adamant about that.
"He wasn't hesitant to make decisions if that commitment began to waver among certain players. It's unfortunate this week. Clearly, it's a demanding period in the season. Perhaps there's been a bit of taking advantage of that. I don't really approve of it, to be honest. England should always come before any club situation."
Eight players have withdrawn from the upcoming matches.
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