HARRY KANE hit out at the EIGHT England players who have pulled out of the Nations League squad.
Lee Carsley‘s final camp as interim Three Lions boss has turned into a farce with so many withdrawals through “injury”.
The FA decided to allow new gaffer Thomas Tuchel to take over as Gareth Southgate‘s successor in the New Year.
That has meant Carsley remains at the helm for two more matches – against Greece and Ireland – before stepping aside for Tuchel.
However, it appears some players have seen this as an opportunity to skip international duty and make the most of a rare break in the hectic fixture list.
Captain Kane, though, accused them of “taking advantage” of the unusual predicament of there being no full-time manager in post.
The 101-cap striker, 31, told ITV Sport: “I think England comes before anything. It comes before club and it is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer.
“Gareth was hot on that and he wasn’t afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players.
“It’s a shame this week obviously. I think it’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit.
“I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think England comes before anything, any club situation.
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“The joy to play for England. I think Gareth brought that back. Every camp, people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England.”
In his last camp in charge, Carsley had an embarrassment of riches to choose from – and experimented by squeezing as many stars as possible into the starting XI against Greece.
This time he is scraping the barrel after the mass exodus of Premier League stars.
Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill both played 90 minutes of their side’s 1-1 with Arsenal on Sunday, while Phil Foden also completed Manchester City’s weekend defeat at Brighton.
Yet all three pulled out of Carsley’s squad for this week’s two Nations League fixtures.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice also withdrew on Monday after were both substituted against Chelsea – although Rice played for the Gunners despite having a broken toe.
I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think England comes before anything, any club situation.
Harry Kane
Trent Alexander-Arnold limped out of Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa with a hamstring injury.
Jack Grealish has missed City’s last six games while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has a broken finger.
All three passed up the opportunity to meet up with their England team-mates and represent their country in what has turned out to be an important double header as Carsley bows out.
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England must defeat Greece in Athens by at least two goals tomorrow and then beat Ireland at Wembley on Sunday if they are to stand a realistic chance of winning their Nations League group and earning promotion back to the top tier.
With nearly an entire potential starting XI absent through injury, the interim manager is expected to name a midfield three of Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher and Angel Gomes – who all play abroad – behind Bayern Munich‘s Kane, while English-based players drop like flies.
Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointment
WITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.
That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.
Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.
