Harry Kane: England captain expresses disappointment after nine withdrawals from Nations League squad | Football news

Harry Kane has revealed his disappointment at the number of withdrawals from the England squad this week, suggesting some England players have forgotten the importance of representing their country.

Nine players pulled out of England’s squad to face Greece on Thursday and Ireland on Monday night.

Carsley, in charge of his final camp before new boss Thomas Tuchel takes over, will be without a number of senior players after Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Levi Colwill, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden withdrew from the squad along with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite will be the latest to drop out on Wednesday night.

Following Branthwaite’s withdrawal, the Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah was added to the squad.

Kane, training with the squad despite injury concerns that will keep him out of the match against Greece, is frustrated at being without key players in a must-win game to have any chance of automatic promotion into the Nations League .

Asked if there was one thing former manager Gareth Southgate instilled that senior players need to ensure they don’t get lost, the forward said: “(Gareth) Southgate brought back the joy of playing for England,” Kane said.

“All the campers were excited to come, all the campers wanted to play for England and that’s the most important thing.

“I think England comes before anything. England comes before the club, that’s the most important thing as a professional footballer.

“Gareth was hot on it and he wasn’t afraid to make decisions if it started to slip from certain players.”

Asked if he felt it could have carried on this week, Kane added: “Obviously it’s a shame this week. It’s a tough period of the season and maybe it’s been taken advantage of a bit.

“I don’t really like it to be honest. England comes before anything and every club situation.”

Carsley not personally respected in withdrawals

At a delayed press conference that began at 22.10 in Athens, Carsley said: “The focus throughout the camp has been on the players who are here. It is important that we make the most of this situation.

“With the amount of players that have withdrawn, it gives other players the opportunity to be here. We are looking forward to the game.”

Carsley says no one in the current squad has spoken to him about the issue Kane raised and denied a club versus country situation is brewing.

“No, definitely not,” he said. “With the amount of withdrawals we’ve had in this window, historically it’s been like that in the past. November has always been a challenging window.

“The culture and environment that Gareth, Steve (Holland) and the rest of the staff have created has made it a really positive environment.

“The players who are here at the moment fully deserve to be here and are ready for the game tomorrow (Thursday).”

Asked if he found the withdrawals personally disrespectful, Carsley said: “No, not at all.

“Look at the players we’ve brought in. It’s a really proud moment for them. The focus is on the players who are here, not the ones who aren’t.”

Anthony Gordon, who sat with Carsley at the pre-match press conference, shook off a blow of his own to join England.

“I think whatever my current team is, what I’m playing for right now is what’s most important to me because that’s what’s in front of me and that’s the challenge ahead,” said Newcastle- the attacker.

Merson: Always country before club – that’s the pinnacle of any player’s career

Paul Merson on England squad withdrawals:

“Rice wasn’t fit, Saka came off with about 10 to 15 minutes to go and it was probably a must-win game for Arsenal at the time. Palmer wasn’t fit, you can see him limping after,” Sky Sports – expert Merson told Sky Sports news.

“So it’s a bit about timing as well. And the circumstances, obviously the manager’s last game, the new manager isn’t there, so we could put all this together and you put two and two together and come up with five.

“But again, it’s a big football game. We have to win this football game to get back at the big table with the big nations, because otherwise we end up playing these games again and that’s where you get payouts also at the same time.

“It’s always the country (in front of your club). That’s what you play for, you play for your clubs to get recognition for playing for your country. The pinnacle of football is playing for your country.

“We live in a football nation and the amount of footballers who start playing football from a young age to get to the top and then to be selected for your country where you can only select 22 players is the beginning and the end of everything .

“So for me it’s always the country. You play well for your club to make sure you can play for your country and that’s what it’s all about for me.”

‘I’m a big England fan’ – Rogers ready to show what he can do

One player who has benefited from the wave of withdrawals from Carsley’s squad is Aston Villa striker Morgan Rogers, who earned a promotion from the Under-21 squad.

Rogers admits it is a “pinch-me” moment to get his first England senior call-up, but believes he can reach even greater heights.

Rogers has enjoyed a big rise over the past 12 months, having left Middlesbrough for Aston Villa last January for £15m. He was thrust straight into the first team at Villa Park and helped his new club achieve Champions League qualification for the first time before excelling again this season as Unai Emery’s men enjoyed an impressive start.

“Obviously I’m a big England fan so I watched all the internationals growing up. So to play with these players now is a pinch-me moment,” he said.

“But I’m just really excited to learn what it’s all about and show what I’m all about.

“I’m enjoying my football at the moment. I think I’m playing pretty well, but I know there’s obviously still work to do and work to improve.

“I’m so thankful and grateful that I’m here, now I can say that I’ve finally been called up and it’s a great honor.

“I think I try to push myself every day and see what new levels I can reach.

“I’ve probably surprised myself at times, maybe this season, with how well I’ve done, but I’ve always had the confidence and belief in myself that I can get to this level and maintain it.

“It’s more about keeping my consistency, keeping it going and hopefully I can get better and better and just keep improving.”

Branthwaite withdraws from England squad

Branthwaite has become the ninth player to withdraw from England’s final squad for the year.

Branthwaite was among five players brought into the squad, but the Everton centre-back has had to sit out training and has now withdrawn.

Quansah moved up from England Under-21s for Tuesday and Wednesday’s training sessions, with the Liverpool defender now replacing him.

Carsley said: “Jarrad stayed back. Jarell has replaced him, so big opportunity for him.

“Jarrad had a little problem that he has had in the past so we never wanted to take any chances with him. Again, it’s a good opportunity for Jarell.”

An Everton club statement on Branthwaite said: “Jarrad Branthwaite has withdrawn from the England squad as a precaution to return to Everton for treatment on a minor groin problem.

“The Blues defender sustained the niggle during Saturday’s goalless draw at West Ham United and as a result, England interim manager Lee Carsley confirmed at his press conference on Wednesday night that Branthwaite has left the Three Lions squad to undergo treatment with Everton’s doctor. team at Finch Farm.”

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