Harry Kane: England captain expresses disappointment after nine withdrawals from Nations League squad

4 hours ago

Harry Kane expressed his frustration over the high number of players who have withdrawn from the England squad this week. He implied that some of his teammates may have overlooked the significance of playing for their country.

Nine players have withdrawn from England's team for the upcoming match against Greece on Thursday and the game against the Republic of Ireland on Monday night.

Carsley is overseeing his last training camp before Thomas Tuchel steps in as the new head coach. Unfortunately, he'll be missing several key players, including Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden, who have all opted out of the squad. Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton has also pulled out, making him the most recent addition to the list of absentees as of Wednesday night.

After Branthwaite opted out, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah was brought into the team.

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Kane is currently practicing with the team, even though there are worries about an injury that might prevent him from playing in the upcoming match against Greece. He feels annoyed about being without important players for this crucial game, which they need to win to have a shot at automatic promotion in the Nations League.

When asked about something that former manager Gareth Southgate established that senior players should keep alive, the striker replied, "Southgate restored the joy of playing for England."

At each camp, there was a buzz of enthusiasm as everyone looked forward to participating, and the desire to represent England was strong among the players. That’s what truly mattered.

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"In my view, representing England is the top priority. Playing for your country takes precedence over club commitments and is the most significant aspect of being a professional footballer."

"Gareth was very focused on that and wasn't hesitant to take action if some players began to stray from their roles."

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When asked if he felt there had been a lack of focus this week, Kane responded: "It's unfortunate to see this week. We're in a challenging part of the season, and perhaps that has been exploited a bit."

To be completely honest, I'm not a big fan of it. For me, representing England takes precedence over any club-related matters.

Carsley Unbothered By Withdrawal Disrespect

During a postponed press conference that started at 10:10 PM in Athens, Carsley stated, "Our attention throughout the camp has been on the players who are present. It's crucial that we take full advantage of this circumstance."

"Since several players have withdrawn, it allows other participants to step in. We’re excited about the upcoming game."

Carsley mentioned that none of the players in the current team have discussed the matter raised by Kane and rejected the idea that there is any growing conflict between club and country.

"Absolutely not," he responded. "Given the number of withdrawals we've seen during this transfer period, it's been that way historically. November has consistently been a tough month for transfers."

The atmosphere and culture fostered by Gareth, Steve [Holland], and the rest of the team have resulted in a very uplifting environment.

"The players who are present have earned their spot and are prepared for the match tomorrow (Thursday)."

When asked if he felt the withdrawals were disrespectful, Carsley responded: "Not in the slightest."

"Take a look at the new players we've signed. This is truly a moment of pride for them. Our attention is on those who are part of the team right now, not on those who aren't here."

Anthony Gordon, who joined Carsley at the press conference before the match, overcame his own minor injury to be part of the England squad.

"The team I'm currently with is my top priority at the moment, as it's what's right in front of me and represents the challenge I need to focus on," said the forward from Newcastle.

Merson: National Team Always Tops Club Football

Paul Merson discusses the players leaving the England squad:

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"Rice was not playing at his best, and Saka left the field with roughly 10 to 15 minutes remaining, making it crucial for Arsenal to secure a victory in that match. Palmer also seemed unwell; you could notice him limping afterward," Merson shared with Sky Sports News.

"It's also about the timing and the situation. Given that it was the manager's final match and the new one wasn't present, we can piece everything together and draw some conclusions, even if they might not add up perfectly."

"However, this is an important football game. We must win to re-establish ourselves among the top nations; otherwise, we'll find ourselves stuck playing these lower-stakes matches again, which can lead to losing motivation too."

"Country always comes first, even before your club. The reason you compete at the club level is to earn the chance to represent your nation. Playing for your country is the highest achievement in football."

We are a nation passionate about football, and many aspiring players begin their journey in the sport at a young age. Striving to reach the highest levels and earn a spot on the national team—where only 22 players can be selected—is both the ultimate goal and the defining achievement.

"For me, representing my country is paramount. I strive to perform at my best for my club so that I can earn the chance to compete on a national level. That, to me, is what truly matters."

"Rogers: Excited To Showcase England Fan Spirit"

One player who has gained from the recent withdrawals from Carsley's squad is Morgan Rogers, a forward for Aston Villa, who has been elevated from the U21 team.

Rogers acknowledges that receiving his first call-up to the senior England team feels surreal, but he is confident that he can achieve even greater success.

Rogers has experienced a significant climb in his career over the past year. He made the move from Middlesbrough to Aston Villa in January for £15 million. Immediately, he was integrated into the starting lineup at Villa Park, contributing to the team’s success in securing a spot in the Champions League for the first time. This season, he has continued to shine as Unai Emery's squad began with a strong performance.

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"Clearly, I'm a huge supporter of England, so I followed all their international matches while growing up. Being able to play with these players now feels like a dream come true," he said.

"I'm super eager to discover what everything entails and to showcase my own abilities as well."

"I'm really enjoying my time playing football right now. I feel like I'm performing quite well, but I also recognize that there's still room for growth and areas I can enhance."

I'm really thankful to be here, and I can proudly say that I’ve finally received a call-up, which is an incredible honor.

I make an effort to challenge myself daily and explore what new heights I can achieve.

At times, I've probably amazed myself, especially during this season, with my performance. However, I've always had faith in my abilities and a strong belief that I can reach this level and keep it going.

"It's really about staying consistent for me, continuing to move forward, and with any luck, I'll keep getting better and improving all the time."

Branthwaite Pulls Out Of England Squad

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Branthwaite has become the ninth player to leave England's final roster for the year.

Branthwaite was one of five players added to the team, but the Everton defender had to miss training and has now pulled out.

Quansah moved up from the England Under-21 team to participate in training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Liverpool defender, who hasn't played for the senior team yet, has taken his place.

Carsley mentioned, "Jarrad has stepped back. Jarell is taking his place, which is a fantastic opportunity for him."

"Jarrad encountered a minor problem he has dealt with before, so we decided to play it safe. This situation opens up a great opportunity for Jarell."

Everton announced that Jarrad Branthwaite has stepped away from the England national team as a precaution so he can receive treatment for a slight groin problem back at Everton.

The Blues defender picked up a minor injury during the scoreless match against West Ham United on Saturday. Consequently, England's interim manager Lee Carsley announced in a press briefing on Wednesday night that Branthwaite has departed from the Three Lions squad to receive medical care from Everton’s team at Finch Farm.