England’s Trio of Stars Need Positional Discipline for SuccessEngland’s Trio of Stars Need Positional Discipline for Success England captain Harry Kane believes that he, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham can replicate their impressive club form together in an England shirt, but they need to improve their positional discipline. Kane, Foden, and Bellingham have all excelled in the Bundesliga, Premier League, and Bundesliga, respectively, but they have yet to show their best for England in Euro 2024. “I think it might take a little bit more positional discipline from all of us,” Kane said. “Looking back on the games, there may have been moments when we were a little too deep.” Kane highlighted the importance of finding the right balance between getting on the ball and making a difference while also providing a threat going forward. He believes that they need to gel better as a trio. “If we play together more, it will get better and we will gain more understanding,” he said. “So maybe a little more discipline in our positional play.” Despite their recent struggles, Kane remains confident that Southgate is the right man for the job. “I can’t say enough about Gareth and what he has done for this team and the nation,” Kane said. “His record speaks for itself: we are really successful.” Kane stressed the need to stand behind Southgate and support him, adding that the players are determined to take that next step and win.
Sign up for Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter, sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up for Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Harry Kane said there is no reason why he, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham cannot show their club form together in an England shirt, but he just believes they need to show more positional discipline.
Kane won the European Golden Boot after scoring 36 goals in the Bundesliga, while Foden and Bellingham were voted player of the year in England and Spain respectively.
But England disappointed, beating Serbia 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Denmark, with captain Kane accepting they were below their best.
All three are enjoying moving into the number 10 position on the pitch and Kane believes they are still trying to gel, saying: “I think it might take a little bit more positional discipline from all of us. Looking back on the games, there may have been moments when we were a little too deep. Not just us, especially on the field where we had too many numbers behind their press or block. We then found it very difficult to progress on the field.
“If we play together more, it will get better and we will gain more understanding. So maybe a little more discipline in our positional play. We all got on the ball and made a difference, which is great. We are all players who love to get the ball in those positions, but we also need to be a threat in the future, something we are not yet compared to our usual selves.
“It’s something we’ll work on and see if we can improve it, but I don’t think there’s a problem if we play together as three players. The seasons we’ve all had speak for themselves and there’s no reason why we can’t step it up on the pitch and reach a level we know we can do.”
Harry Kane gave a resounding message of support to Gareth Southgate (Getty Images)
Kane also gave a convincing backing to manager Gareth Southgate, saying he is “absolutely” the right man for the job despite England’s awkward start to Euro 2024.
“I can’t say enough about Gareth and what he has done for this team and the nation,” he added. “In terms of where we were and where we are now as a national team is completely different. I think he’s brilliant in the details of making sure no stone is left unturned, everyone knows what they’re going to do when they go to games. Just like someone who gives us the freedom to be ourselves during matches, whether off the field or on the field.
“Being England manager is a very difficult job, he knows that and we know that too. There will always be people who criticize him or doubt him, but his record speaks for itself: we are really successful. But just like all of us, he’s determined to take that next step and win it, and that’s what we’re all really determined to do. He’ll do what’s best for the nation and make the decision what’s best for the team “All I can say is: stand behind him and support him like the players do.”
