Page 14. South East Times. Issue 67
England U21s: Harry Kane wants to play in Euros
says Roy Hodgson
Harry Kane wants to “finish the job” at the
European Under-21 Championship this
summer, says England boss Roy Hodgson.
The Tottenham striker scored 79 seconds
into his senior England debut against
Lithuania on Friday, and made his first start
in the 1-1 draw in Italy.
But the 21-year-old played a key part
in helping England’s Under-21s qualify
unbeaten for the tournament in June.
Hodgson said: “Harry wants to go with the
Under-21s. He wants to finish the job that
he has done.”
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has
suggested that that Kane might benefit
from resting this summer. The tournament
is being held in the Czech Republic and
begins for England against Portugal on 18
June.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has also
said that Ross Barkley, 21, needs a “proper
break” after representing the senior team at
last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
But former England captain Gary Lineker
said it would be a “national disgrace” if
clubs blocked young players from taking
part.
And England Under-21 boss Gareth
Southgate does not expect Premier League
clubs to block players from attending, while
ex-England international Phil Neville said
Kane’s development would be “enhanced”
by playing for the U21s.
The issue is further complicated for Kane as
Spurs have a post-season friendly match in
Australia three weeks before the Under-21
tournament begins.
Hodgson added: “He’s had to work his way
into the team and in my conversations with
him it has been pretty obvious to me he
would like to play in this tournament.
“Harry can play an important part and
maybe help them go far. That certainly
won’t hurt his chances in the first team and I
am happy to back him.”
The England manager also played
down suggestions that taking part in
the tournament would leave the player
exhausted: “I’ve got to say I’m not a great
lover of the burnout argument,” Hodgson
said.
“If you want to be an international
player then you’ve got to accept football
tournaments take place in the summer at the
end of the season.
“In my lifetime, as soon as the season
has finished, footballers have gone to
tournaments. Anyone who wants to be a
top-class international footballer and really
believes he can help his country get to these
tournaments, can’t then come and talk about
burnout.”
2015 European Under-21 Championship
draw
Group A Group B
Czech Republic
England
Germany
Italy
Denmark
Portugal
Serbia
Sweden
Meanwhile, Hodgson called on England
fans not to chant anti-IRA songs when his
England side play their next game, against
the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in
Dublin on 7 June.
“There’s no way I can justify or be glad
about any political chants of that nature,” he
added.
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