What to make of Harry Kane’s first two matches at Euro 2020

Is transfer talk effecting Kane’s performances?

That’s a hard question to answer, but there are clear signs something is not right. He is clearly sluggish and is lacking his usual sharpness. That could also be down to the amount Kane has played this season. Then again, most players in the tournament have endured long, arduous seasons with their respective clubs, so it’s an excuse that doesn’t hold much weight.

All of the speculation about his future, however, can definitely have a damaging effect on performance. He is human after all.

Linked with a big-money move, something is clearly not right with Kane. In retrospect, maybe he will regret speaking so openly and candidly with Gary Neville just weeks prior to the commencement of Euro 2020 about the possibility of him leaving Spurs in the summer.

And maybe subconsciously he, like every other Tottenham supporter, is gravely concerned about what is currently transpiring at his football club. The shambolic way in which club business is being handled will do nothing to alleviate Kane’s increasing anxiety.

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Some people on Twitter jokingly theorize that Kane is purposefully bottling it to lower his price tag on the transfer market. Others say he doesn’t want to leave Tottenham and is playing below standard to ensure the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United don’t find him quite as desirable. While sharp observations, neither hold any credence.

There is talk of Kane’s position in England’s starting team being in doubt. That is as ridiculous in practicality as it sounds in theory. He is England and Tottenham’s top marksman. Without Kane, where will the bulk of England’s goals come from? Nobody knows the answer to that question, mostly due to Kane’s disproportionately high contribution to the national side’s goal collection in recent years.

Yes, he’s struggling mightily. And he needs to snap out of it quickly if England have any desire on advancing deep into the tournament. But England go as far Kane does, and they cannot afford to leave him out of proceedings, no matter how dire it seemingly gets.

He is England’s captain and it’s paramount for people to remember what he has contributed in recent years to both club and country before exiling him after two disappointing outings. Two matches is not enough to condemn a player who almost single handedly propelled England to the semifinals last time of asking in a major tournament.

However, if England bow out of this tournament prematurely and Kane doesn’t improve his performances significantly, the ripple effect of those catastrophic occurrences could have a major impact on Tottenham and Kane’s immediate future.