Harry Kane Urges England to Protect Strong Team Culture After Player Withdrawals

England captain Harry Kane has stressed the importance of maintaining the strong team culture that has been developed under recent leadership, following his concerns over a spate of player withdrawals from the squad.

Nine players pulled out on Monday ahead of Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, prompting Kane to voice his frustration.

Speaking before England’s 3-0 win in Greece, Kane told ITV that he was disappointed with the number of withdrawals, asserting that “England comes before club.” He emphasized that the national team should be a priority for all players, especially during the November international camp, which is traditionally a challenging period in the season.

In a subsequent media briefing ahead of Sunday’s match against the Republic of Ireland, the 31-year-old striker clarified his comments. “I probably didn’t expect it to get as much attention as it did, but it was my opinion,” Kane said. “The November camp has always been tough, and over the years, players have pulled out. It’s a tricky time of year, but these camps are really important.”

Kane acknowledged the significant progress made under former England manager Gareth Southgate, who was instrumental in transforming the team’s culture. Under Southgate, England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and back-to-back European Championship finals. Kane warned that such a culture “takes a long time to build and maybe not so long to lose if you’re not careful.”

He added that autumn camps, often following a major tournament, tend to get overlooked, but they play a vital role in maintaining team unity and preparing for future challenges. “These are the camps where you build that culture and togetherness that lead you into the World Cup,” Kane explained. “It’s a reminder that playing for England is something really special.”

England are aiming for promotion to League A of the Nations League with a win over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley, and Kane sees this as a crucial moment in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. “If we win, it sets us up really well for the year ahead,” he said.

Looking ahead to the arrival of new England manager Thomas Tuchel in January, Kane noted the importance of experienced players passing on the lessons they’ve learned from previous successful campaigns. “I’m sure Thomas will have his ideas and ways of building his own culture,” said Kane. “But we’ve had some really good tournaments, and it’s important to share those experiences with the younger players who haven’t had as much exposure.”

Kane was notably dropped to the bench for the win against Greece, with Ollie Watkins starting in his place. He came on as a substitute in the 66th minute. While he admitted to being “a little bit” surprised by the decision, Kane expressed his understanding of Carsley’s choice. “I’ve made it clear that I want to start every game,” he said. “I want to help the team, and I understood his decision. But it was new for me.”

Despite being benched, Kane was clear about his form, telling BBC Radio 5 Live, “Ultimately, I’m here because I’m one of the top goalscorers in the world at the moment. Sometimes there’s a perception that maybe I’m just here because I’m the captain, but it’s not the case. I’m in the best form I’ve been in my career.”