Harry Kane has said that England’s senior players know that the team culture can be lost quickly if they are “not careful”.
The 31-year-old was speaking for the first time since his eye-catching interview this week where he reminded his team-mates of the importance of reporting for England duty this month.
Kane said that these autumn camps were vital for reinforcing team culture, and that the other senior players have a duty to protect something they have worked so hard to create.
“It was just my opinion that England is really important,” Kane said, when asked about his mid-week ITV interview. “After a major championship like in the summer, sometimes these September, October and November camps get forgotten a little bit, in terms of how important they are. These are the camps as well where you build that culture and togetherness that lead you into a World Cup. So it was just a reminder that playing for England is really really special.”
Kane is very aware of the importance of preserving the team culture that was effectively create by Gareth Southgate and which saw England through the last eight years. Kane mentioned Kyle Walker and Jordan Pickford — also veterans of almost the entire Southgate era — as having a duty to keep the same standards high.
“From now until the World Cup step by step you build that culture,” Kane said. “I think it’s down to me and some of the older ones, like Walks and Picks who’ve been here for a while, to start showing that to some of the younger players coming through. It takes a long time to build that, we’ve done a really good job building that. It’s something that you don’t want to lose as you start to get more younger players into the team. It isn’t just these camps. As we go along now and when Thomas starts in March that will just naturally progress.”
Kane also warned that the culture developed over the Southgate years could erode quickly if it was not actively preserved. “It takes a long time to build, and maybe not so long to lose if you’re not careful,” he said. “But I think we’re well aware of that, the experienced players. Lee’s done a great job. I’m sure Thomas will come in with his own ideas about how he wants to build his culture.”
Kane was speaking for the first time since he was dropped by Carsley for England’s 3-0 win in Greece on Thursday. Kane will return to the team against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and he said he accepts he will not play every game.
“It’s not the first time been a sub for England,” Kane said. “I think since Lee has been in charge I’ve only played one game per camp. So from my point of view, of course I want to start every game, I’ve always wanted to start every game, I’ve never shied away from that. But of course I know that’s not always possible. I know we’re in a tough stage of season, and whenever I’m called upon, whether on the bench or starting , I always give my all for the team.”
(Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
