Calm leader Harry Kane calls on England experience to respond to Euro 2024 critics
Harry Kane offered a typically measured response to criticism of England's performances and his own form at Euro 2024 in a textbook piece of firefighting.
In the wake of the dismal 1-1 draw with Denmark, the national discourse has rarely felt more hysterical in the Gareth Southgate era, and there is pressure on England to not just beat Slovenia but go into the knockouts on the back of a statement result.
Kane, though, is nothing if not level-headed and rarely one to dwell on disappointments, always looking ahead to the next challenge with a steely optimism.
In a media briefing lasting nearly 45 minutes at the squad's Blankenheim base, the captain drew on his experience of three previous tournaments to offer context to England's unconvincing start and call for calm.
"We have been here before, we have a lot of experience, it is not a time to panic but a time to improve," Kane said.
"Be calm, we know we are in a good place even if we haven't quite reached the levels that we can. But it has been pretty much how it always is."
Kane was thoughtful but punchy, hitting back at Gary Lineker over his criticism of the side and offering a but robust defence of Southgate, who he believes is still "absolutely" the right man for the job.
Kane knows England were below par against Serbia and Denmark but he is content for the side to feel their way into the Euros, "like a boxer in the first couple of rounds".
"What really matters is where you finish in tournaments," he said. "No one is going to remember the 1-1 draw against Denmark if we go on and win it – that’s just the reality. It’s just about pushing on and finding a way to get to the knockout stage. Once we are there, it’s knockout football. It’s ours to take."
Kane may be right.
The draw is stacking-up favourably if England beat Slovenia and top Group C, with Germany, Spain and Portugal all guaranteed to be on the opposite side, where they will be joined by France if Les Bleus finish as runners-up in their group.
Kane has established a rhythm at major tournaments, tending to raise his game in line with the stakes
Southgate's side must dramatically improve if they are to beat even the second-tier nations, however, and getting the best from Kane remains crucial to their chances.
He opened the scoring against Denmark with his 64th international goal but his performances have drawn criticism, with Lineker taking aim at Kane's pressing against Denmark before describing England's display as "s***".
Kane jabbed back at Lineker without swinging, reminding the BBC front-man of the weight of his words and that he never won anything with England.
"Being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it," Kane said.
The striker's role in the team is the subject of more familiar debate, too.
He touched the ball just twice in the first half against Serbia, leading to suggestions he was pushing too high, but was accused of the opposite at the last Euros in 2021.
"That's part and parcel of being who I am and a number nine who likes to do both roles," he said.
Southgate's surprising decision to replace Kane for the final 20 minutes against Denmark raised questions about his match fitness, which he dismissed out of hand.
"From my point of view I am fit, I am getting better and better in each game," he said.
After peaking too early in Russia in 2018, when he had effectively wrapped up the Golden Boot by the second game, Kane has established a rhythm at major tournaments, tending to raise his game in line with the stakes.
He did not score in the group stage at the last Euros or World Cup, before coming alive in the knockout rounds, with four goals in three games in 2021 and two in two in Qatar.
“It’s a bonus to be one goal ahead," he said.
"I have spoken in previous tournaments about the same thing about trying to make sure you come into your peak for the most important part of the tournament, which is the knockouts.
"Time will tell, if we get knocked out a lot of questions will be asked but, from my point of view, it is important to go into this knockout stage feeling 100 percent and I feel I am there."
Kane is confident England's progression can be similar to his own, a slow-burn designed to peak when it really matters.
"Of course we can improve, but it is not the time to panic and change everything," he said. "We just need to change a few fine details.
“[Being] calm is the most important one [for fans]. A lot of us have been here and done it and we’ve given England fans some fantastic times. I know 99 per cent are fully behind us and fully with us, but as always during the tournament just to support us as they always do and I know they will.
"Then after the tournament you can judge us."
