July 9th 2024.
As England eagerly prepares for the Euro 2024 semi-final, all eyes are on the team's captain, Harry Kane. With the match against the Netherlands approaching, football legend Alan Shearer insists that there is no way manager Gareth Southgate can drop Kane from the starting lineup.
Despite scoring two goals so far in the tournament, Kane has faced criticism for his lackluster performances while playing for Bayern Munich in Germany. While he did score the opening goal against Denmark and the extra-time winner against Slovakia, many have criticized his overall gameplay.
Despite this, Southgate has been hesitant to turn to backup options Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, who have only made brief appearances in the tournament thus far. Shearer, along with many pundits and fans, believe that the team's attack would function better with one of these players in the team, but they all agree that dropping Kane is not an option. After all, he is not only the country's record goalscorer, but also the current captain.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer stated, "There's no doubt in my mind [that he should start]. There's no way you can leave him out, you can't leave your captain out and your record goalscorer, the guy who can produce something special." Shearer also added that while Kane has looked tired at times, his presence on the field is crucial and the team must continue to support and encourage him.
In a separate interview with Betfair, Shearer reiterated his stance on Kane's importance to the team, stating, "Unless Harry Kane is injured, he plays. He's the captain and the record goalscorer. There's no way you can leave him out." Shearer acknowledged that Kane may not have looked as sharp as usual, but with two goals under his belt, it's clear that he still poses a threat on the field.
Kane himself has also addressed the criticism and speculation surrounding his performance. After being subbed off in extra-time during England's quarter-final win over Switzerland, he assured reporters that he was not injured, but simply tired. He even joked about tripping over the water bottles and cramping up in both calves.
As for the upcoming semi-final and potential final, Shearer believes that Kane's best work needs to be in the box, where he can use his goal-scoring abilities to their full potential. "You wouldn't bet against Harry getting another one or two goals in the semi-finals and final," Shearer declared confidently.
And as for the possibility of another penalty shootout, which has been a source of anxiety for England in the past, Kane has full faith in his teammates. He noted that the team has more experienced penalty takers this year, such as Ivan Toney and Bukayo Saka, who have proven their abilities. With their help, Kane believes the team can continue their successful run in the tournament.
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