Sam Allardyce told Sky Sports News (28/06/21 at 9:10 am) that it would be ‘damaging’ if Tottenham striker Harry Kane was left out of England’s starting XI at Euro 2020.
The Tottenham hitman is yet to score for the Three Lions as they prepare to take on Germany in a crucial knockout game at Wembley today.
The 27-year-old ended the 2020/21 Premier League campaign as the top-scorer and assist-maker, but those near-on complete performances haven’t been on show for his country.
But Allardyce, who managed England one game, made it clear that not enough chances aren’t being created for the Spurs academy product to thrive off.
“It would be damaging if he were to be left out of the side,” said Allardyce. “I think eventually, he will score.
“In my opinion, the players in and around him, because they haven’t created enough chances and played through the lines quick enough, it’s starved Harry with any real golden opportunities.
“Sooner or later, a man of his quality will eventually score that goal. What England need to do is to try and create chances in the box. If you create chances then Harry normally is the best one to convert them to goals.”
The problem does lie with Gareth Southgate’s system and how there isn’t enough movement in and around Kane.
His habit of dropping deep will not go away, but that doesn’t mean that an extra defensive-minded player should start, which then limits the chances being created for him.
As Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka proved against the Czech Republic, if England are higher up the pitch and there is a lot more positive intent then Kane comes alive.
Now, there’s no way Southgate would drop him for the visit of the German’s, and why should he, but what a time and place for him to score his first goal of the tournament.
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