Jose Mourinho has defended Harry Kane, as the England captain was criticised for his performance in European Championship.
Jose Mourinho has come into the defence of England striker Harry Kane, who is currently struggling in Euro 2020.
The 27-year-old was expected to be Three Lions’ key cog due to his impressive form at Tottenham Hotspur but has struggled to hit the ground running in Euros.
However, Kane’s former manager Mourinho has defended his lack of impact by stating that he is the best player of the Three Lions.
The Portuguese also added that people in England are quick to criticise if their star player fails to deliver, whereas talismans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe wouldn’t face the heat.
“Only in England would you have a little bit of this noise of the best player, the captain, the top goalscorer, to be on the bench because he didn’t score a goal in two or three matches.
I don’t think you have the same noise if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t score for Portugal or Kylian Mbappe for France or Romelu Lukaku for Belgium.”
The new AS Roma gaffer also added that it would be a wrong decision for Gareth Southgate to take him off the field during the game as he calls his former protege the best.
“For Gareth to take off Harry with 15 minutes to go against Scotland was absolutely normal, to bring a fresh player to try to create a new problem,” Mourinho added.
It’s normal with 15 minutes to go; I don’t think there’s any problem with that.
But you leave Kane out of the starting line-up and play who? Calvert-Lewin? Good player. Rashford? Good player.
“But Harry Kane is the best.” He declared.
He vehemently justified his statement with, “With Harry, I would ask, How many chances has he missed? -Zero. How many crosses have been delivered to him? – Zero. How many vertical passes into his feet, in between the lines? – Zero. How many times has he had triangles with the two wingers coming inside and making that combination with him? – Zero.”
England will be playing the Czech Republic in their final group game after being held to a draw by Scotland. Notwithstanding tonight’s result, the Three Lions have qualified for the next round as a result of Group B fallout – Finland and Russia finished with 3 points.
