June 23rd 2024.
During England's second game against Denmark, Harry Kane was substituted in the second half. Many were concerned about his fitness for Euro 2024, but he quickly reassured everyone that he was feeling good. He also addressed comments made by Gary Lineker, who had criticized England's performance.
Kane had scored his first goal of the tournament against Denmark, but he was replaced in the second half as England ended up with a 1-1 draw. It was a tough game for the captain, who had just finished a long season with Bayern Munich and had also been dealing with a back injury. However, he brushed off any worries about his fitness and said he was feeling better with each game.
In a press conference, Kane stated, "The preparation leading into the tournament was pretty good for me personally and even in the first game, I felt as fit as I have all season. I came off in the second game, but that was the manager wanting to see something different and freshen things up with the front players. I'm fit and getting better with each game, and it's about trying to make sure you're at your best during the most important time of the tournament."
Kane also addressed Lineker's comments about England's performance, which had caused quite a stir among pundits. He acknowledged that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but he felt that some of the criticism may not be helpful, especially for the younger players in the team. "I'd never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially one who has worn the shirt and knows what it's like to play for England," Kane said. "Ex-players who are now pundits have to understand that their words are listened to, especially by players who are new to the environment. They have a responsibility as ex-England players to be mindful of their words and the impact they can have."
He continued, "The reality is, we haven't won anything as a nation for a long time, and many of these players were a part of that. They know how tough it is to play in major tournaments and for England. I'm not saying they shouldn't have their opinions, but I think it would be more helpful if they were more positive and focused on building the team's confidence."
Speaking about his own performances, Kane admitted that he hadn't played at his best during the tournament so far. However, he wasn't too worried about it and pointed out that he hadn't scored in the group stages of the previous World Cup or Euros either. "Everyone's entitled to their opinions, especially during a major tournament where every performance is scrutinized," he stated. "I know I can play better, but I don't panic or get too low. I just focus on the next game."
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