England manager Gareth Southgate has taken the unusual step of confirming that striker Harry Kane will start on Tuesday in the team’s final Euro 2020 Group D match against Czech Republic.
Kane has faced criticism of his form after disappointing displays led to him being substituted in both of England’s matches so far — the 1-0 win over Croatia and the 0-0 draw with Scotland on Friday.
Southgate normally does not offer indications on his line-up until announcing the team shortly before kick-off.
“You can assume that yeah,” Southgate told ITV. ”Absolutely. I don’t mind giving you that one.”
England know a win against the Czechs would secure them top spot in the group and a last-16 berth.
Southgate said his decisions to withdraw Kane from both games were for specific reasons and he did not question his captain’s form.
“In one of the games (Croatia) we were already ahead and we needed energy, we needed to press and keep the lead and didn’t need additional goals,” said Southgate.
“With Harry during the World Cup we ended up with him playing a lot of football and we felt we needed to manage the load a bit this time.
“We have got good options on the bench to bring people into the game, but he is our most important player. There is no doubt about that. You only have to look at his goal-scoring record with us to see his importance to the team,” he said.
“He is fundamental not only to the goals he scores but the build-up play and everything else he brings,” added the England manager.
Southgate acknowledged there was criticism of Kane but said he was confident the forward would respond with goals.
“I know there will be a lot of questions being asked about him at the moment but he has been through that 100 times before,” he said.
Sterling message
Forward Raheem Sterling said England are not bothered by the “noise” from outside the camp. “I do feel there’s a bit of an over-reaction on the whole,” Sterling said. “I just feel there’s more of a panic on the outside than inside the building. I don’t see anyone in the camp that feels any pressure or feels hard done by.
“We really shouldn’t be looking what the papers are saying, what pundits are saying.”
