Harry Kane shocked by England omission but feels in ‘best shape of career’

By Jonathan Veal, PA

Harry Kane admits he was shocked to be canceled for England’s match against Greece but has no concerns about his long-term future.

The country’s record scorer was ruled out of Thursday’s 3-0 Nations League win in Athens, just months after his form at the 2024 European Championship came under intense scrutiny.

Kane will be reinstated into the squad for Sunday’s match against the Republic of Ireland, with Lee Carsley dismissing suggestions this could be the beginning of the end for the striker, but the Bayern Munich man said it took time for him to found out Carsley’s decision.

Asked if he was shocked when he found out, the 31-year-old said: “Probably a little bit, when he told me I was like, ‘Okay’, I had to think about it.

“I wasn’t sad about it, I wasn’t worried about it, I understood where he was coming from and I think that’s part of being a captain, being a leader.

“Sometimes you have to take things slow and say, ‘Okay, I’m ready to help the team, like I did the other day when I came over.

“Look, I’ve made it clear that I want to start every match. I want to try to help the team. But I understood his decision. But it was new to me.”

With new manager Thomas Tuchel starting in January, Kane may feel vulnerable, but he insists his performances for Bayern make him “one of the top scorers in the world” and worthy of selection.

“I always feel like I’ve been picked for England on form and credit. It’s not just because I’m England captain,” he told talkSPORT.

“I have had my best season, last season, individually and this season I also started the year very well.

“So maybe that could be an argument if I wasn’t playing as well as I have in the recent past, but ultimately I feel like I’m at the peak of my game for my club, and that’s ultimately where you get picked .” of playing for your country.”

On BBC Radio 5 Live he added: “Ultimately I’m here because I’m one of the top scorers in the world at the moment.

“So sometimes I feel like there’s a perception that maybe I’m only here because I’m the captain, but that’s not the case. I mean, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in my career.

Kane is reunited with Tuchel after the German signed him from Bayern last summer.

Although Tuchel ultimately failed in Munich, Kane believes he will give England a “great chance” of winning the World Cup and that his nationality is not an issue.

“We all want to win,” he said. “I think he gives us a great opportunity to do that with his history, Champions Leagues and big major competitions.

“Obviously he knows he will have to – I don’t want to say he has to win over the fans – but obviously he has to produce and that is done through playing style and results.

But if we win the World Cup together in 19 months’ time, I don’t think anyone will have a problem with him.

“The FA went away and looked at who they thought would be best for us to win the World Cup and if you look at the people out there I think he was absolutely at the top of the list and I think everyone from the points where we talked about are part of those reasons.”