Harry Kane: Does criticism expose England’s cracks?
Another important quality for Southgate is his ability to foster a strong sense of unity within the England squad, something that isn’t helped by the captain’s suggestion that some may be more interested in club than country.
A subplot is also clear. If this was Tuchel’s first game in charge, rather than the embers of Carsley’s interim regime, would those not in Athens be more willing to cover it?
It also makes Thursday’s games in Greece and Sunday’s game against the Republic of Ireland feel pointless. Tuchel’s willingness to simply watch the briefing from elsewhere only added fuel to the fire.
Still, the results make sense.
If England beat Greece and then finish top of their UEFA Nations League group, Tuchel’s first game in March will be a World Cup qualifier or a friendly, depending on the size of the qualifying group. If they finish second, England will face a two-leg play-off and a possible return to the top flight of the Nations League.
When Tuchel took over, it had been three months since he signed with the FA. As for why he started on January 1, no specific reason has been given yet. This is a clean start date, but looks like a waste of time.
Do some England players feel that way too? Kane’s interview does little to dispel that suspicion.
The circumstances surrounding England’s final training camp – when they lost to Greece at Wembley before beating Finland in Helsinki – were chaotic and unsatisfactory, with Carsley sending mixed messages and appearing to question Are you qualified for the job and then insist that you don’t rule out the possibility of being eliminated? Until the FA revealed Tuchel at Wembley that he signed on the dotted line two days before Wednesday’s game against Athens.
The FA and Tuchel may simply believe that January 1, the first day of 2025, represents a new era, a fresh start.
Kane’s pointed comments and the recent England training camp have heightened the feeling that one is desperately needed.
