“You have to ask: is the pinnacle playing for your country in Euros and World Cups? Or is the pinnacle playing in the later stages of the Champions League? Has the pinnacle changed?”
Harry Kane questioned his England colleagues who withdrew from Lee Carsley’s squad this week. He was entitled to say it and stand up for his England side, but I think he was wrong.
Kane is a supreme patriot and has been a great England captain. He’s been a leader while shouldering the burden of scoring most of his nation’s goals, breaking records along the way. Kane said: “It’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit. I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. England comes before anything and any club situation.”
That’s a fine thing for Kane to say when he has a month long winter break ahead with Bayern Munich!
Lee Carsley is taking charge of his final camp before new boss Thomas Tuchel takes over. The squad he selected soon shrank. Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Jarrad Branthwaite all dropped out for various reasons.
They are all facing an arduous festive programme in cups, Europe and the league, that will strain their bodies and minds. There are players going into that England squad who know they have a long week away, need a rest, and might not be part of all the games.
There are times as a player when you think that you would rather stay at home with your club. Most Premier League clubs will be having five or six days off. You can spend time with your family and have a break yourself. With the amount of injuries that can happen and the amount of big games still to play this season, I do understand it.
I quit international football eventually, although I never missed a squad. It prolonged my club career. If a player is pulling out of a squad he is just managing himself, any niggles he might have. I am sure any England player is desperate to play for their country. Do I blame anyone for pulling out? No.
Circumstances dictate to an individual. Only they know how their body is. When I was due to go away with Wales I had managers asking who we were playing, what we were up to and sometimes pointing out we had a big game at the weekend for our club. I never withdrew from a Wales squad, but you knew they were planting a seed, keen for you not to get injured, worn out.. and subtle pressure was put on you. They would half make a joke out of it. No managers said to pull out though, they’d leave it to me.
You have to ask: is the pinnacle playing for your country in Euros and World Cups? Or is the pinnacle playing in the later stages of the Champions League? Has the pinnacle changed? I think the higher quality football is in the Champions League.
The narrative has now changed. Internationals used to be top. Club games become more important because the value of the league and Europe is massive. England will win their Nations League group and will qualify for the major tournaments with whichever players they field, given their huge depth. I actually think the withdrawals gave England a fresh look with new boys getting a chance. Curtis Jones was brilliant. Noni Madueke and Ollie Watkins did so well.
Lee Carsley has done very well apart from the home game against Greece. But really there is 100 per cent a strong argument for having got Thomas Tuchel in the job for this camp. Then there would not have been nine pulling out, but we’ll never know.
If I was a player having done three England camps already, 11 league games, half a dozen in other competitions, you have to look after your own circumstances. They will be playing thinking I’d rather have it off, recover, go away with my family and be energetic for the massive games ahead for my club.
Body wise, if you have a knock, a slight injury, you can’t ignore it in November. At the end of a season with so many games, you protect yourself. I do get it. It does not mean they are more or less passionate about England.
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