Below-par Kane is vital for England, teammates say
REUTERS – Harry Kane’s England teammates have rallied behind him after a string of uninspiring performances at Euro 2024, with Luke Shaw and Trent Alexander-Arnold praising their captain’s leadership and the threat his presence poses for opponents.
Kane has scored twice in the tournament but has looked out of sorts, lacking pace and short on chances, prompting calls for him to be dropped for today’s semi-final against Netherlands in Dortmund.
“Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“You just know he is a threat. Anything in and around the box, you need to be on red alert.
“He can finish it from every angle. I always say he is the best finisher I’ve seen or played with. He can drop down and build play up and his hold-up play is incredible too.”
Left back Shaw, who returned from injury late in the Switzerland game, said Kane was a world-class player.
“At any time he can score a goal and make that difference. He’s a very important player, he’s our captain,” Shaw said.
“You give him time in and around the box he’ll score, he takes opportunities we know that, we see it day in day out, we know the quality he has and what he brings to the team and it’s very important he’s on the pitch.”
Shaw said Kane had the right mindset despite his performances.
“I don’t sense any frustration from him, he’s the same Harry that we have from the start of the camp, nothing changed,” he said.
“He’d have liked to have scored more goals. Nothing changed, he’s still very positive ... he’s our captain, he’s our leader, he leads by example and we all follow him.”