Harry Kane may be one of Euro 2024’s top scorers – but Gareth Southgate has been told to drop the England star for the semi-final.
That is the opinion of ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara, who believes the Three Lions captain should be benched against Netherlands next week.
Despite scoring two goals at the European Championship in Germany, the Bayern Munich striker has been guilty of poor performances.
The 30-year-old struggled to make an impact in the quarter-final penalty shootout victory over Switzerland on Saturday – resulting in him being taken off in extra-time.
His dismal display saw him given a 4/10 rating by talkSPORT host Adrian Durham – the lowest score out of any of his teammates.
And O’Hara has argued he should be left out of the last-four clash with Holland – something ex-Chelsea defender Jason Cundy disagreed with.
Speaking on The Sports Bar, O’Hara said of Kane: “He’s a problem in this tournament, he really is, he’s been miles off it. He just slows the game down.”
He then expressed his frustration over Kane’s lack of willingness to get in the box, having not even attempted to get on the end of Bukayo Saka’s first-half cross, which could have led to a precious goal.
And he also expressed his fear on talkSPORT’s watchalong of the game that Gareth Southgate is only selecting him due to his name – just as Portugal boss Roberto Martinez did with Cristiano Ronaldo.
O’Hara then controversially insisted: “I’d drop Harry Kane.”
His opinion shocked co-host Cundy, who stated: “You’re dropping your skipper, in a semi-final of a European Championship? Think about what you’re saying, that’s enormous.
“Because if you get it wrong, you are in massive trouble, and that’s the problem he’s got Southgate, because I agree with everything you’ve said.
“Harry Kane’s performance today was way off it, he offered nothing.
“When Saka hits the byline, you’re looking for Kane to get beyond [his marker] – he was on the penalty spot! You want him to get on the six-yard box.
“Two or three times it happened, Kane is on his heels, I don’t know what it is, I’m not sure how fit he is.”
Pressed as to whether he would bench Kane due to his fitness concerns, Cundy then insisted that he simply has to start due to being able of producing magical moments.
He remarked: “That’s a big call, that’s like Martinez dropping Ronaldo last night [against France].
“But imagine he didn’t play him and they go out, people would say, ‘Why you dropping Ronaldo?’
“That’s a toughy, there ain’t no right answer there, because I understand the question you’ve asked, and I agree with you, Kane is off it.
“But, we were talking against Slovakia to get Kane off – he scores the winner! So you’ve got to think about that.
“That is a big call, and it’s easy for people now sitting in their cars, their homes, you and I sitting here [talkSPORT studio].
“When you’re sitting there with Steve Holland [England assistant] and you’re picking your team, do you drop Kane?
“That’s a massive call, and I’m not sure right now it’s the right one to make, because you’ve then made a statement.
“If you drop him in the semi-final, and you get to the final, do your start him in the final? Your skipper? That’s a tough answer.”
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News Summary:
- Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara clash over England skipper Harry Kane following Euro 2024 win over Switzerland
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.