- Listen to It’s all just beginning! EUROS DAILYWhy Southgate is talking ‘nonsense’ about England’s Euro 2024 draw
- England booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Switzerland
- However, England captain Harry Kane looked sluggish throughout the match.
I think the reason Harry Kane doesn’t seem to be at his best physically is that he missed the end of the season with back problems and, like many big players, it takes time to regain his agility. In the meantime, he seems slow.
The dilemma now for Gareth Southgate is what to do with his captain and talisman for the semi-final, because I think he got a bit lucky against the Swiss.
The changes against Switzerland were almost forced on Gareth as England fell behind and Kane had to come off after being pushed and suffering cramp.
With spaces opening up, the game had been crying out for an Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney long before Kane’s substitution actually happened.
I don’t think if Kane is dropped from the starting line-up on Wednesday night there will be too many complaints from the fans. And I’m sure it’s something Gareth will consider.
Harry Kane struggled during England’s quarter-final win over Switzerland on Saturday
It could leave England manager Gareth Southgate with a dilemma ahead of their semi-final clash.
But I still don’t think that will happen.
When you’re your country’s top scorer, as Kane is, and you’ve won Golden Boots, you have a lot of credit in the bank.
And in international football, when the margins between success and failure are so narrow, they are often decided by individual moments from your best players.
Even though Kane has been below his level at the Euros, he has scored a couple of times to get an equaliser against Denmark and the winner against Slovakia, and that’s in a team that has struggled creatively and isn’t providing many crosses.
Many people would have taken Jude Bellingham off the pitch against Slovakia, but Gareth’s faith was vindicated by the extraordinary overhead kick that equalised.
The manager has so much confidence in Kane that he will always believe he will score the vital goal, regardless of his overall performance.
I would probably be fine with Kane staying in the semi-final, but that doesn’t mean he’s got a clear run. If he’s not making an impact after an hour, don’t expect it. Toney and Watkins are capable goalscorers and England have been crying out for more energy and mobility at the top of the pitch.
Kane is not the only striker who has been surprisingly below his level. All the concern before the ball was kicked was about defending. But we have been good at the back and we have struggled in attack. Any centre-forward needs ammunition and we have not provided it.
At times it seemed like Kane was struggling to keep up with the pace of the game in Dusseldorf.
Until now it was unthinkable that Southgate could do without Kane, but things have changed.
So far we have reached the quarter-finals with small flashes of brilliance, from Bellingham in the first knockout game and Bukayo Saka last night with our first shot on target.
But Switzerland had the better chances over the 120 minutes and we will have to improve as a team if we are to get through, unlike where we almost were at the Euros three years ago.
Kane was upbeat before the tournament. I think he really felt mentally refreshed after missing a few games, but the evidence we’ve seen is that he’s not in that state. It’s happened before when he missed games for Tottenham and it was a sad thing that English fans were happy to see him out after all he’s done for the country.
I felt bad for him as he hasn’t been getting service from the full-backs, with Kieran Trippier on the left as a right-footer. But when there have been a couple of decent balls to him, he hasn’t received them. He’s looked tired.
Similarly, Kane struggled to get to the crosses of England’s full-backs that night.
Perhaps a fit and sacked Luke Shaw will also help Kane take off, but I’d say the manager needs to be more proactive.
When the game starts to stretch and cries out for some pace, don’t be afraid to bring Kane on. I don’t think anyone will be upset.
It’s a tough situation for Gareth. He’s a loyal man and he trusts Kane completely, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be beaten.
Another change I think needs to be made is Cole Palmer, who has been our most influential player off the bench. His calmness on the ball and willingness to take risks is exactly what England need. He has been terribly unlucky not to start and I would find a way to get him in.
