Harry Kane has hit out at after attempts to “create division” in the England camp ahead of their World Cup semi-final with Argentina
Harry Kane has pointed the blame after attempts to “create division” in the England camp ahead of their World Cup semi-final with Argentina.
The Three Lions earned the right to play the defending champions on Saturday evening after a close clash with the tournament’s surprises Norway. However, after the match, there was something of a war of words between Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham.
Tuchel claimed England were “lucky” to win the game, criticising their performance. And when those comments were put to Bellingham he responded: “Whatever. It’s difficult out there”. Bellingham, who had netted a brace in the clash, added: “Maybe doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions.”
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However, Kane has now defended the pair, and called out the media for trying to create a division in the camp.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he [Bellingham] didn’t really know what the manager has said, what do you want Jude to say?
“We had just been through a battle. It was really tough out there. “It is easy to try and create this division – it seems like an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments.
“But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness – not just the players, the coach and the staff.
“Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.”
Argentina needed extra-time to beat Switzerland a couple of hours after England’s success. Julian Alvarez edged the South American side ahead in the 112th minute, before Lisandro Martinez put the game beyond any doubt in the 121st minute.