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Jamie Carragher Says England Should Drop Harry Kane For Czech Republic Game

Jamie Carragher Says England Should Drop Harry Kane For Czech Republic Game

Harry Kane's lack of form is a worry for Gareth Southgate but Jamie Carragher doesn't believe the striker should find that form on Tuesday.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Jamie Carragher has called for Gareth Southgate to drop Harry Kane for the final Euro 2020 group game, picking Dominic Calvert-Lewin in his preferred XI for Tuesday night's match.

Kane's form in the opening two games of the Euros has come under fire from fans and pundits, although his clever movement against Croatia did allow Raheem Sterling the space to score.

Against Scotland especially, last season's Premier League top scorer looked a shell of his usual self, even if the service to the Tottenham Hotspur striker wasn't great.

With England already assured of their place in the last 16, thanks to results on Monday night, many would expect Southgate to let Kane play his way into form, but Carragher doesn't think that should be the case, arguing a goal wouldn't necessarily mean the striker's form is back.

Kane struggled to make an impact against Scotland. Image: PA Images
Kane struggled to make an impact against Scotland. Image: PA Images

"If Kane scores, many will say he has 'proved people wrong'" the former England defender wrote in his Telegraph column.

"Football has evolved beyond the point where a striker's performance is judged solely on whether he scored.

"It's the general play for 90 minutes which must be of the highest standard. That is what the top coaches judge. The days when converting a penalty or scoring a tap-in is considered 'job done' are long over.

"Kane doing so against the Czech Republic will be no measure of form for the rest of the tournament unless the overall level improves."

Kane has been subbed off in both England games so far. Image: PA Images
Kane has been subbed off in both England games so far. Image: PA Images

Instead of the Spurs striker, whose future is in doubt with Manchester City making their first bid for the 27-year-old, Carragher wants to see Calvert-Lewin upfront.

The Everton striker scored 16 goals in the league last season and the former Liverpool defender wants to see Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish play alongside Calvert-Lewin, although he also picked Mason Mount in the number 10 role before the news the Chelsea player had to self isolate due to contact with Billy Gilmour.

Whilst many fans want to see Jadon Sancho be given the chance to play, 'Carra' doesn't see it that way.

"I do not understand the clamour for Jadon Sancho to start. Who for? The nation is demanding Grealish, and how can Southgate drop Sterling after everything he has produced for England?

"He has arguably been the best player of the Southgate era. Sancho is yet to replicate his club form for his country in such a way to justify replacing Sterling."

Sancho is yet to play for England at the Euros. Image: PA Images
Sancho is yet to play for England at the Euros. Image: PA Images

The Sky Sports pundit wants to see Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire make their first appearances at the tournament, in order to get them ready for the games ahead.

Henderson would partner Declan Rice in midfield, whilst Maguire would be reunited with John Stones in central defence and have Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker either side of them, Jordan Pickford rounds off the team.

Who would you have in your XI for Tuesday night's game? Let us know in our Facebook comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, England, Czech Republic, Gareth Southgate, Jamie Carragher, Harry Kane