Harry Kane has dismissed suggestions that he is struggling with his fitness at the ongoing European Championship in Germany.
Kane was substituted during extra time of England’s quarter-final win over Switzerland, watching the penalty shoot-out from the side of the pitch.
Eyebrows were raised after a poor outing for the former Tottenham Hotspur striker but manager Gareth Southgate revealed “cramp” was the reason for Kane’s withdrawal and he is all but certain to start Wednesday’s semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
Kane has scored twice during the Euros but has drawn criticism for some of his performances and was also replaced with 20 minutes to go in the 1-1 group stage draw with Denmark.
“Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, I know everyone wants me to score three goals a game and I want to score three goals a game, but it’s not always the case,” he said.
“Maybe sometimes when I don’t score I think the fitness one is an easy one just to throw in – ‘Why? Is there a reason? Is it his fitness? Is it not?’.
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“But like I said before the tournament, I felt like I had a good preparation going into it, I’m getting better and sharper as the games go along.
“We have a semi-final ahead of us and of course I’d love nothing more than to score a couple of goals and get through to the final.”
Kane and his Three Lions teammates would be looking to secure back-to-back Euros final.
At the 2020 edition England reached the final before losing to Italy on penalty shootout.
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