Tottenham: Kane and Dier Sit Out Three Lions Friendly
By Aaron Coe
After having dialog with Gareth “Gary” Southgate about the load on Harry Kane, the England manager did Tottenham Hotspur a solid and sat Harry Kane and Eric Dier.
Even with all the new signings and the return of the prodigal son – Gareth Bale – to Tottenham Hotspur, the reality is the season still rests very much on the shoulders of Harry Kane’s health. The England talisman has started this campaign in fantastic form with eight goals and seven assists in eight games in all competitions across a busy start for Tottenham Hotspur.
Kane has started so strong, the only two matches he has not been on the scoresheet in were the season opener against Everton and in his 20-minute EFL cameo against Chelsea. Of course, Kane did net the winning penalty, so although he did not technically score, he did hit the back of the net when it mattered. All this is important as Kane has already played 569 of 720 minutes or about 80% of all minutes available.
This load on Kane brings up back to the Three Lions and the fact that the English Captain has often played more than necessary over the last few years for England as he has for To ttenham. However, this is a new day in the England squad as much as it is for Tottenham, as now Gareth Southgate has options with Southampton’s Danny Ings demonstrating he is a reliable goal scorer and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin growing into a goal scoring threat.
The relationship between Gareth Southgate and Mauricio Pochettino was well known and Southgate was known to call the Argentine from time-to-time for input and suggestions. However, because of that relationship – or something else – Pochettino rarely spoke out negatively against the international efforts. Now, that England has options, Jose Mourinho made it clear that he would prefer Gareth Southgate – who he accidentally called Gary – that he would not play Kane in any friendly matches if Southgate did not either.
After apologizing to Southgate and being offered to be called John; Mourinho shows that he is human and does make mistakes. More importantly he apologizes and admits mistakes, which so many people in this world could learn from.
I digress, as Mourinho’s pressure got the result Spurs fans wanted, which was Harry Kane and also Eric Dier sitting out of the England friendly with Wales this past Thursday. With a Nations League match coming on Sunday, having the two Spurs sit, means they are likely to be starting Sunday and are likely to play the full 90.
Harry Kane leading the line in a full fledge international match is not an issue, Kane leading the line in a friendly after playing four times in a week is a different story. With international breaks nearly every month in the campaign and the Euro 2020 tournament to make-up, the extra load of international play is going to be a storyline throughout the campaign. If John and Gary can continue to build upon their blossoming newfound friendship, maybe these breaks will not be something for Spurs fans to fear as Kane will not continue to be run into the ground.
As for the game, the Three Lions won 3-0, with both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny Ings scoring goals. DCL scored in the first half with a header and Ings scored late with a bicycle kick. In between Conor Coady scored, meaning England had three first time goal scorers in the match, as Southgate continues to bleed new players in the squad.
Jack Grealish and Kieran Trippier – who was the captain on the day – both had assists in the 3-0 win. The Three Lions next play Sunday against Belgium in the Nations League.