Gary Neville and Nigel de Jong disagree with Jamie Carragher’s Harry Kane England theory

Euro 2020: Clarke starts mind games ahead of England clash

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Gary Neville and Nigel De Jong have shot down suggestions from Jamie Carragher that Harry Kane is no longer untouchable for England. The Three Lions captained struggled to make an impact in the 1-0 over Croatia, who defended deep to nullify Tottenham’s talisman.

Kane was later subbed shortly after carrying on following a collision at the back post.

He returned to training this morning though and looks set to feature in the second group game against Scotland on Friday.

Yet Carragher has questioned whether Gareth Southgate needs to manage the fitness of Kane, who he believes is not at the level he set at the 2018 World Cup.

“Kane barely featured in the victory and looked exhausted,” the Sky Sports pundit wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

READ MORE: England boss Gareth Southgate finds new undroppable in Kalvin Phillips after Croatia win

“Brave as it seems for an England manager to substitute his captain, it was the right and obvious call.

“This may become the new reality for Kane. England can get the most from him with a premeditated plan, demanding he give everything for 65-70 minutes before being replaced by fresh legs.

“The days of keeping him on the pitch so he can make the most of every minute in pursuit of the Golden Boot are over.

“Whatever approach Gareth Southgate takes – and whatever happens for the rest of the tournament – we must adjust to the fact that this is not the same Kane who went to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and fulfilled his ambition to be the leading goalscorer.

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“More importantly, the England captain must accept that, too.”

While Carragher still believes Kane should start, his Sky Sports colleague Neville is surprised that anyone is prepared to question the England captain’s place in the side.

“There is no way Calvert Lewin starts ahead of Harry Kane. He is someone who’s mentally untouchable,” Neville told ITV.

“He’s solid in his mind and is England’s best player by a mile!”

Former Manchester City midfielder De Jong then added: “It’s so strange to see the rumours about Kane being droppable.

“I mean, if he scores two against Scotland he’ll be the national hero.”

England are already stacked with options in attack as Jadon Sancho failed to even make the 23-man squad versus Croatia.

Southgate refrained from taking three strikers to the tournament though although Marcus Rashford can also play through the middle…

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