England’s ailing striker Harry Kane insists he has no fitness problems when he showed signs of fatigue despite a difficult start to the Euro 2020 campaign in which coach Gareth Southgate took off his talisman twice.
The England captain was replaced by Marcus Rashford in Friday’s Group D goalless tie against Scotland after Southgate wanted more attacking energy but Kane has assured fans he is not injured.
“Gareth has the right to make whatever changes he thinks are best for the team,” said Kane, who only scored 19 goals in the Scotland game, according to The Guardian.
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“What we’ve learned in past tournaments is to try to peak at the right time. The best time to peak is in the knockout phase and then hopefully further.”
England got off to a muted start to the European Championship after scoring a 1-0 win in the opening match against Croatia, which beat England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and failed to break a stubborn Scottish side in front of their home fans Wembley.
“Maybe there were times in Russia when I wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be in the quarter-finals and semi-finals,” added 27-year-old Kane. “In the end we didn’t get where we wanted to go, maybe that’s why.
“It’s about managing the squad and making sure everyone feels as fit and fit as possible. In my case, it was a few tough games.” [Croatia and Scotland] and it’s about making sure I’m right for the rest.
“I didn’t have any problems. I didn’t feel that I wasn’t physically up to it. I felt as good in these games as I did in the whole season, if I’m honest.”
The top scorer of the 2018 World Cup, Harry Kane, has drawn a gap in his two previous games at the EM. Vision House / Getty Images
When asked if the desire to leave his club Tottenham Hotspur had affected his performance for the national team, he replied: “Absolutely not. My whole focus is on how I can help this team and how we can be successful in this tournament. “
“I understand from a media perspective that there is speculation, but I am fully focused on the job here.”
England, who have four points from two games, will have to beat group leaders Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday to qualify for the round of 16 at the top. Kane believes that while they were solid at the back, they can improve at the front.
“We’re all proud of not conceding any goals, from front to back, and now I think we’ll get better in the attacking third and become a little more fluid and free and get a few more chances. Then we can be strong.” Crew, ”he said.
