England interim manager Lee Carsley described Harry Kane as “fine” after the captain was dropped for his side’s must-win Nations League game in Greece – but seven-time Premier League winner Roy Keane said the Bayern Munich talisman gave the Three Lions the “best chance” of scoring.
Kane was left on the bench against the group leaders, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins preferred as the visitors’ out-and-out striker and Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham providing support in attack.
“It was important to give Ollie Watkins the opportunity to experience a night like this,” Carsley told ITV Sport. “This team needs to try to create leaders and one way of doing that is by giving him the opportunity.
“[Kane] was fine. He wants to play but his attitude has been fantastic. The goal is to win the [2026] World Cup. We’ve got players on the pitch [for whom] this will be a valuable experience.”
Lee Carsley explains his decision to leave Kane out of the starting lineup 👀#ITVFootball | #NationsLeague | @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/8dern06Ue2
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 14, 2024
England team vs Greece: Kane ‘surprise’
Carsley, who oversaw a 2-1 home defeat by Greece on October 10, will make way for new permanent England manager Thomas Tuchel in January.
In the meantime, only victory over Ivan Jovanovic’s side will put England level on points with Greece ahead of the final round of Nations League fixtures, with the group winners earning automatic promotion to League A.
“The big surprise for me is that Harry Kane is not playing,” said Keane, suggesting that Watkins had not been clinical in the first meeting between the sides of the campaign.
“I’m a big fan of Watkins, I think he’s a brilliant player, a really good player. He’s missed a few chances recently… if you’re saying to me ‘who’s got the best chance of scoring a goal for England?’ it would be Harry Kane, for me.”
🗣️ “He’ll demand a lot from us players… If he doesn’t like something he’ll let you know.”
Harry Kane sits down with Gabriel Clarke to talk all things Tuchel#ITVFootball | #NationsLeague | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/PyGrSrfo8W
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 14, 2024
England ‘might need’ Kane
Former England forward Ian Wright backed Watkins but warned that Carsley’s tactics would need to play to the 28-year-old’s strengths.
“In him, Gordon and Madueke there’s pace there, backed up by Bellingham,” said the Arsenal legend. “This might be a game where the Greeks sit in.
“We know Watkins can run in to space and stretch defenders. This might be a game where you might need to hold it up. It might be a game that suits Harry Kane.”
Greece have won their last five matches, with a Bellingham goal to briefly draw England level the only time they have conceded along the way.