Liverpool legend Graeme Souness believes Harry Kane's England struggles at Euro 2024 were due to the lack of service he got from his teammates.
Despite England getting to the final, only to fall 2-1 to Spain, Kane looked way off the pace during a number of games at the European Championships, leading some to question whether Gareth Southgate should consider dropping his star striker.
While he was substituted during England's knockout games in Germany, including the final, Kane started every single game for the Three Lions, scoring three goals. The 30-year-old had been dealing with a back injury before the tournament and missed Bayern Munich's final two Bundesliga games of the season as a result.
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And there had been some suggestion Kane's back injury might have been worse than initially reported, with Southgate admitting following the Euro 2024 final defeat he had "come into the tournament having had an injury at the end of the season."
But Souness reckons Kane's ineffectiveness was less down to injury, and more to do with the lack of service the England captain received. One of the best parts of Kane's game is his ability to drop deep to play in team-mates running in behind a defense.
However, the selection of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, three players who like Kane, also want the ball to feet, seemed to hinder the latter.
Do you think Harry Kane should have been dropped by Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2024 final? Let us know in the comments section below.
Speaking on Three Up Front, William Hill ’s podcast, Souness said: “If a conversation had taken place between Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane where he dropped Kane because he felt he was underperforming, then I think Harry would’ve agreed with him. However, Kane was not the same player that he’s been for a number of years where he has been the go-to man.
“If I were him I’d be pointing to the fact that he doesn’t get enough service. No one passes to him, he comes short for the ball and doesn’t receive it. The England midfield is non-existent and they were non-existent in the final against Spain. He’s struggled because of that just as much as he’s struggled because of any lack of form or fitness.
"He was getting no service whatsoever. He was getting bullied off the ball because it wasn’t being given to him quick enough. I have sympathy for him."
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