Harry Kane: Does criticism expose England’s cracks?

One of Southgate’s other great qualities was the ability to promote a fierce sense of unity in the England squad, something that will not be helped by suggestions from the captain that some may be more interested in the club than the country .

A subplot is also apparent. Would some of those players not here in Athens have been more willing to report if this had been Tuchel’s first game in charge, as opposed to the dying embers of Carsley’s interim regime?

It also adds to the feeling that the games on Thursday in Greece and on Sunday against Ireland have no meaning. Tuchel’s willingness to simply take a supervisory job from elsewhere only adds fuel to that fire.

However, there is some significance in the results.

If England beat Greece and go on to finish top of the UEFA Nations League group, Tuchel’s opening games in March will be World Cup qualifiers or friendlies depending on the size of their qualifying group. If England finish second, England will face a two-match play-off and a possible return to the top level of the UEFA Nations League.

When Tuchel takes charge, three months will have passed since he signed his contract with the FA. No concrete reason has been given why he will start on January 1. It’s a great date to start, but it seems like a waste of time.

Is this feeling shared by some English players? Kane’s interview will do nothing to dispel that suspicion.

The environment surrounding England’s last campaign – when they lost to Greece at Wembley before beating Finland in Helsinki – was chaotic and unsatisfactory, with mixed messages from Carsley as he appeared to question his own credentials for the job and then insisted that he did not exclude himself. from the running only for the FA to reveal at Tuchel’s Wembley revelation that he had signed on the dotted line two days before the debacle against the side they face in Athens on Wednesday.

The FA and Tuchel may simply believe that a start on January 1, the first day of 2025, represents the new era, a fresh start.

Kane’s sharp words and the recent camps in England reinforce the feeling that people are very much needed.