Southgate Prioritises Kane's Fitness Ahead Of Euro 2024 To Bolster England's Chances
Gareth Southgate will use England's match against Iceland on Friday to prepare Harry Kane for Euro 2024, which could result in fewer minutes for Ivan Toney. Kane's first season with Bayern Munich ended early due to a back injury, missing their last two Bundesliga matches. He finished the season with 44 goals across all competitions in 2023-24.
Kane came off the bench to score as England defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in the first of two warm-up matches on Monday. He is expected to start at Wembley on Friday. This may be unfavourable for Brentford striker Toney, who risks being omitted when Southgate reduces his 33-man preliminary squad to 26 players on Saturday.
"Toney will be involved in the game on Friday but I have got to get Harry Kane right," Southgate said. "Sometimes the priorities of what's required and what you would like to see as well, you can't achieve all of those objectives. Simple as that."
According to Opta Supercomputer projections, England has a 19.9% chance of winning Euro 2024, more often than any other nation with just ten days remaining until the tournament begins.
19.9% - With 10 days to go until the start of Euro 2024, England won the tournament across the current Opta Supercomputer projections more often than any other nation (19.9%). Pressure.https://t.co/zA2WvPLPdf@OptaAnalyst look at the chances of every team at #Euro2024.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 4, 2024
Toney scored four goals in his first five Premier League matches after returning from a nine-month ban in January but ended the campaign on a 12-game goal drought, his longest ever in the competition. Kane, meanwhile, is crucial to England's hopes of ending their 58-year wait for silverware in Germany.
Kane has scored 12 goals at the last three major international tournaments (2018 World Cup, Euro 2020, and 2022 World Cup), with Kylian Mbappe being the only other European player to match that tally. Kane was also involved in ten goals during Euro 2024 qualifying (eight goals, two assists), scoring or assisting in all seven of his starts.
While Kane should be in peak condition by the time England kicks off their Group C campaign against Serbia on June 16, doubts persist over the availability of left-back Luke Shaw. With no other natural left-backs making Southgate's squad, Kieran Trippier could shift across to that side for the Three Lions' opening game.
The Newcastle United man is ready to go after suffering injuries of his own in the closing stages of 2023-24. "I'm fit. If I pick the team, then obviously I put myself in it," Trippier said. "That's up to Gareth, but whether I play or I don't play, I'll be ready. I felt really fit. I'm feeling good; I'm feeling fresh."
1966 World Cup erm...
1991 England Challenge Cup
1997 Le Tournoi
2004 FA Summer TournamentCan England add #Euro2024 to their illustrious list of men's honours this summer? We look at some reasons why England can win the tournament.https://t.co/KYl4D8cifL
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 4, 2024
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