Harry Kane Condemns Players Who Refuse To Call The England National Team

England captain Harry Kane et al underwent training ahead of the match against Greece in the UEFA Nations League. (X/@England)

JAKARTA - England lost no less than nine players who were on average the backbone of the team during the UEFA Nations League match. Captain Harry Kane also criticized the attitude of players who refused to be called up by the national team on the grounds of injury.

England will face a crucial match against Greece in the Group 2 League B Nations League match at the Olympic Stadium, Athens, Friday, November 15, 2024 in the morning WIB. Furthermore, The Three Lions hosted Ireland in the final match of the group stage at Wembley Stadium, Monday, November 18, 2024 in the morning WIB.

The match determined England's ambition to promote to League A. England, one of the elite teams in the second caste of the Nations League is still stuck in second place with nine points. Meanwhile, Greece, which has 12 points at the top of the standings.

Greece played a high-motive match against England. In addition to playing at home, The Ethniki successfully beat England 2-1 in the first duel at Wembley. A surprising defeat and resulted in England losing the throne to the standings taken by Greece.

As England hopes to reclaim the top spot in order to secure promotion tickets, interim manager Lee Carsley has instead lost part of the pillar players. They took advantage of the competition break due to international matches to rest and restore their condition.

Moreover, players will still have matches on a busy schedule. Especially players in the Premier League who will enter busy week-weeks in December.

When the other leagues rest, on the other hand the Premier League in all divisions continues because it enters the festival period. In this period the teams played matches with close time from December 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

In fact, they will continue to compete on December 26, 2024 or the day after Christmas which is known for the Boxing Day match. The next crucial match is New Year's Eve or the day after the turn of the year when Brentford host Arsenal.

This is what makes some players sacrifice the national team to get a period of rest as well as undergo recovery.

Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Levi Colwil admitted they were injured even though they played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the English Premier League big match.

Likewise midfielder Phil Foden had to step aside to recover despite playing full time when Manchester City lost to Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 in the Premier League. However, his colleague, Jack Grealish, has not played in six Man City matches in various competitions.

England also did not have the Arsenal duo, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Both did not play fully in the match against Chelsea. It's just that Rice was still fielded despite a toe injury. But that's the reason Arsenal didn't use to let Rice join the national team.

Other players who claim they cannot join include Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold who suffered a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale suffered a fracture to his finger.

Carsley actually called Jarrad Branthwaite to complete the squad. But the Everton centre-back is backing down because there is a problem with the calf's base.

The British emergency left by many players made Kane angry. According to the Bayern Munich striker, the attitude of the player's refusal never happened when Gareth Southgate handled The Three Lions. Southgate created an atmosphere that made players eager and motivated to play for the national team.

Not only that, Southgate is not afraid to write off or back players who are considered to have lost competition with other players.

"He can make players excited when playing for England. When the training camp, all the players are always excited to come. Players really want to defend England. That's the most important thing," Kane was quoted as saying by The Sun.

Furthermore, the England captain, said players should prioritize the national team over the club. Moreover, team managers will not force players to appear if they are not fit.

"I think players should put England first and then the club. That's an important thing when you become a professional player. Gareth really understands that. He's not afraid to back up players even though he's a team pillar," he said.

"Frankly, this is an embarrassing week. I think this is because the players have had a tough season and they took that opportunity even if it was only for a short time. But if you want to be honest, I don't like that. In my opinion, England is still the most important thing," said the former Tottenham Hotspur captain.

Kane, who plays in the German Bundesliga, will indeed get a break because the competition will take a day off during Christmas and New Year. Likewise Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher and Angel Gomes who play outside England. They will be the first choice against Greece.

"Not November is indeed a challenge. This is a period for players to suffer minor injuries and fatigue. However, this provides opportunities for players who have previously rarely been in the squad," said Carsley.

England must win the last two games for promotion to League A. If only finishing in second place, England must play-offs to advance caste.

Player Composition Forecast:

Greece (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Siopis, Mantalos; Masouras, Bakasetas, Tzolis; Pavlidis

England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis; Gomes, Gallagher; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane