England before club: Harry Kane slams withdrawals from Nations League squad

England captain Harry Kane slammed the player withdrawals from England's squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. 9 players from the England squad decided to pull out of the squad, citing injuries.

In Short

• The likes of Palmer, Saka were among the players who pulled out of England squad
• Kane remarked that such dropouts were rare under former manager Gareth Southgate
• England are currently second in their group behind Greece

England captain Harry Kane voiced his frustration over several high-profile withdrawals from the national team ahead of their Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland, stressing on Wednesday that representing one’s country should take priority over club commitments. England is set to face Greece away on Thursday, followed by a home game against Ireland at Wembley three days later.

However, nine players, including key starters, withdrew from the squad called up by interim coach Lee Carsley, citing injuries. Notable absentees include Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. Kane remarked that such dropouts were rare under former manager Gareth Southgate, who fostered an environment where players were eager to attend England camps.

"The joy to play for England, I think he brought that back. Every camp, people were excited to come, people wanted to play for England and that's the most important thing. I think England comes before anything, comes before club," Kane told ITV Sport.

"It's the most important thing you play as a professional footballer. Gareth was hot on that and he wasn't afraid to make decisions if that started to drift from certain players.

"It's a shame this week. Obviously I think it's a tough period of the season and maybe there's been a taking advantage of that a little bit. I don't really like it if I'm totally honest... I think England comes before anything."

England's interim manager Lee Carsley, whose time with the Three Lions will come to an end on Sunday, November 17, said that the withdrawals do give other players to impress for the national team.

"Harry has his opinion but I can only deal with what it is in front of us," Carsley, who will end his stint at home to Ireland on Sunday, told reporters.

"November is a challenging (international) window. It's that period of the season where fatigue and small injuries play a part. But it's a brilliant opportunity for other players who were on the outside of the squad."

England are currently second in their group behind Greece, who have won all their games so far.