England have a long list of absentees for the UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland during the November international break, and captain Harry Kane is not too happy about it.
No fewer than nine players were named in the England squad this month before withdrawing from the squad citing a litany of varying fitness issues.
Following some recent unfavorable results, the Three Lions have been relegated from League A and are now at risk of failing to top their League B group, potentially losing a chance at promotion to the top division.
It has made Kane so annoyed that he is speaking publicly about the issue, sending a clear message to the players nursing their injuries that they need to get their priorities straight.
The sports news explains exactly what has disturbed Kane and who the individuals are who have caused this frustration.
Why did Harry Kane criticize English players?
As captain of the England national team, Harry Kane’s job is to serve as a mouthpiece for the team, both in times of support and in times of responsibility.
It is the last role Kane played ahead of the November international break, when England were saddled with a patchy squad thanks to a host of late withdrawals.
For Kane, it is unacceptable for players to use international breaks as a rest period so they can stay fit for the long club season. According to the England captain, international duty must come before everything else and the players must find other moments to take care of their fitness.
“It is of course a shame this week,” Kane said about the long list of absentees. “It’s a difficult period of the season and maybe there has been a bit of abuse. I don’t really like it if I’m completely honest. England comes before everything and every club situation.”
Which English players have withdrawn from the squad?
Nine players suffered home care issues after initially being included in the England squad for matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland during the November international break.
The most notable absentees are Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden And Bukayo Saka.
While Saka’s absence can probably be excused, as he was withdrawn in the dying minutes of the Arsenal-Chelsea match due to an apparent fitness issue, the other three have less obvious excuses.
Rice was taken off the pitch in the 71st minute of the match against Chelsea but appeared to have no problem, while Palmer and Foden each played the full 90 minutes of their club’s weekend matches.
Others retiring from the squad include Jack Grealish, Aaron Ramsdale, Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold And Jarrad Branthwaite.
Grealish has been excused for not appearing for Man City since October 20, while Branthwaite has struggled with a groin injury all year. But players like Ramsdale and Colwill have not missed any club action recently and otherwise appear fully fit.
The absence of a 19 year old Kobbie Mainoo is excusable, as the Man United midfielder has been missing from club action for almost a month. Alexander Arnold appeared to be given a pass when he was withdrawn early in Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa last weekend, but reports indicate he will be fit for the Reds’ post-international break, potentially keeping him within reach of Kane’s wrath as well.