Harry Kane reveals England players’ formation change talks after Euro 2024 ‘turning point’

England face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals having scraped through the last 16 against Slovakia by the skin of their teeth – and now Harry Kane has a simple message for both his team-mates and England supporters

Bellingham and Kane celebrate the late goal against Slovakia but have now been the target of Piers Morgan (
Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Harry Kane believes “one of the best goals in English history” can inspire England to go all the way at Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate, Kane and the rest of the squad have been preparing meticulously on the training ground for the challenge posed by an in-form Switzerland and were in a serious, businesslike mood when they arrived in Dusseldorf on Friday. But there is no doubt Kane and his teammates are still buzzing about the dramatic nature of their last-16 win over Slovakia, sparked by Jude Bellingham’s 95th breathtaking 95th minute equaliser.

Kane said: “Any major winner, or country that wins, probably looks back at a moment that maybe changed the course of their tournament, or was a big moment in getting them through. Jude stepped up and has done that for us. I think it was one of the best goals in English history.

“Ultimately, we know we’ve still got three big games ahead, so it’s step by step. But those are the moments you might look back on in ten or 11 days, whenever the final is, and be, like … wow – that was the turning point. I think 100 percent it can be the spark that the team needed.”

But while Bellingham’s heroics might prove to be inspirational, Kane keeps coming back to one quality when discussing how England got to the last eight and the challenge that now lies ahead.

While Southgate and his players have been heavily criticised for their performances – even though they have won two and drawn two of their four matches – Kane clearly believes certain mitigating factors have not been taken into consideration.

The surfaces, the defensive organisation of modern international teams, the improvement of nations that are normally unfancied. But he is proud of the way England players might have been below par in terms but have shown the mental strength to pull through.

Kane watches on as Bellingham saves the day ( 
Image:
REUTERS)
He said: “We feel like the coach has given us so much and been one of our most successful managers so we need to go out there and repay him. In terms of the performance, of course, every game we’ve tried to play better and improve.

“Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t but the important thing is we find a way to get through. We want to play better and hopefully we can do it but there are a lot of different variables in the game and different moments that you have to come through.

“What we’ve been so good at over the years is the resilience we’ve shown in different moments in different games and it will be no different (against the Swiss).”

And in terms of tactics, Kane revealed that a lot of players have been having their say since the 1-1 draw with Denmark in the second game of the group stage.

Harry Kane of England speaks to the media ( 
Image:
The FA via Getty Images)
He said: “There have definitely been more discussions between the players and with the staff about how we felt on the pitch and how they saw it off the pitch, trying to come to a solution that works best for everyone.

“When you’ve got the players that we’ve got in our team, who have had the experiences we’ve had at club and international level, it’s very important you share what you’re feeling, share your ideas and share where you think we could improve. That’s what we’ve done, especially since that Denmark game.

“We analyse the game like we always do and this Switzerland game has been no different. We’ve worked on different scenarios and how to get that pressure.

“Now it is just about going out there and letting the football do the talking.”

Expected England XI (3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Trippier, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Foden, Bellingham; Kane.

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