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Harry Kane has underlined his value to the England team in the face of criticism over his performances at Euro 2020 by suggesting he is still “one of the best” forwards in the tournament. The Tottenham shooter failed to save a shot on target despite his side’s two Group D games starting at Wembley Stadium.
Kane failed to show his authority in England’s opener against Croatia, with Raheem Sterling scoring the afternoon’s lone goal to give the Three Lions a perfect start to the campaign.
The England captain was substituted in the later stages of the second half, a decision Gareth Southgate chose to repeat in the goalless draw against Scotland on Friday night.
Kane seemed slow and worked for much of the game, missing a first chance to put his team ahead before running out of steam as his influence began to wane.
His efforts have been criticized by fans and pundits, with Liverpool icon Graeme Souness questioning whether the 27-year-old is even in great shape.
Despite the noise surrounding his muted form, Kane said he was still full of self-confidence, saying everything would be forgotten if he delivered a strong performance against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
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“I believe in myself,” he said at a press conference. “I still believe in myself. It’s the only way to be and it’s the best way to be.
“As a forward you don’t score for a few games and all of a sudden you score one or two and then it all starts to fall in your direction.
“Things can change very quickly, so now is not the time to think too much, to do too much, to do something more or something different, it is about staying focused.
“I know what I’m capable of and what I can bring to the team and of course if I score a few goals against the Czechs on Tuesday everyone is talking about the Golden Boot again, how we got the one of the best forwards and we’re going to go as far as we can in the tournament.
DO NOT MISS
“It’s about managing expectations, but the players and the manager know what I bring to the team. Many times I have played two games without scoring, but in football tournaments it is a lot more highlighted. “
Kane currently finds himself at the center of an intriguing transfer saga as he looks to tackle a new challenge away from Tottenham ahead of next season.
He has informed the club of his desire to leave before the start of Euro, but Spurs president Daniel Levy is said to be determined to keep his precious asset in the new campaign and beyond.
The forward has been heavily linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks, but it remains to be seen if a decision will materialize.
Former United midfielder Roy Keane recently suggested that the uncertainty surrounding Kane’s future could affect his ability to play at the highest level for England.
“He said he wanted to leave Spurs, maybe he was distracted by that,” Keane said after Friday’s draw against Scotland.
“It could be an energy zapper if you think you’re leaving the club or chatting with another club. It’s not helpful. It doesn’t. [look fit], he looked leggy.
“He doesn’t look at speed, on his heels all the time. For England to participate in this competition, you need your star men to perform.
“We saw Lukaku and De Bruyne arrive, Ronaldo. Kane was not at his best. And I’m glad Gareth took him off because he’s said to be unbeatable, he’s the star, c ‘is the main man.
“If he’s not playing, take him out. Rashford gave them a little more energy but still not enough.”
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