Harry Kane is not part of the England squad at the moment, but the Tottenham Hotspur striker could play against Arsenal in the North London derby next weekend.
Merson has asked how Pochettino can say that Harry Kane will be fit for next weekend’s North London derby against Arsenal when he had to pull out of the current England squad.
Kane was initially named in England’s squad for friendly international matches against Germany and Brazil.
However, the 24-year-old striker had to pull out due to injury, but he could be available for next weekend’s North London derby.
Tottenham will take on Arsenal in the Premier League just after the international break, and Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been quoted as saying by The Daily Mail that Kane will be available for the match.
Former Arsenal star Merson has questioned how Pochettino can say that Kane will be fit for the match against the Gunners.
Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “All these players pulling out of Gareth Southgate’s squad have made England’s two friendly games totally meaningless.
“Did they pull out because it was Germany and Brazil? Were they afraid of getting beaten? I wonder how many of them who said they weren’t fit enough to play in these two games end up turning out for their clubs next weekend.
“If these had been qualifying games that England needed to win to get to the World Cup, would they have pulled out? No chance.
“So how can Mauricio Pochettino say Harry Kane will be fit to play against Arsenal next Saturday if he isn’t fit to play for England?”
Tottenham are third in the Premier League table at the moment, while Arsenal are currently sixth in the standings.
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