Harry Kane 'raised concern with Gareth Southgate' as details emerge following England defeat to Spain
Harry Kane struggled for England in their 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday night
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Harry Kane raised a concern with Gareth Southgate prior to England's Euro 2024 campaign about one player left out of the squad, according to reports.
The Bayern Munich striker started all seven of his side's matches out in Germany this summer, though was withdrawn on five occasions amid his faltering form.
With the inquest now beginning following England's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday night, more details are starting to come to light.
Prior to the tournament, Southgate opted to leave out Jack Grealish after the winger endured a difficult season at Manchester City.
Harry Kane struggled for England in their 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday night
PA
Grealish was crushed by the news, having previously thought he'd be on the plane to Germany this summer.
England players had to console the City star, who spent some of the summer in Dubai while his team-mates battled for European Championships glory.
And the Daily Mail say that Kane was concerned by the decision, with the 30-year-old approaching Southgate to discuss the matter.
In the end, it didn't sway Southgate into changing his mind. Grealish stayed behind and England's attack never really got going at the competition, despite the impressive achievement of making the final.
Kane had gone into the tournament widely expected to be firing on all cylinders after a terrific maiden season in Germany with Bayern Munich.
However, the former Tottenham star looked flat in every match he played.
It'll be interesting to see what comes out in the coming days about the forward. Some have theorised that he played through the pain for England at the tournament, with Gary Neville previously suggesting he's been receiving painkiller injections.
If so, then questions will be asked of Southgate and why he didn't place his faith in the likes of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to lead the line instead.
Kane was crushed after Sunday's defeat to Spain and admitted England players had been determined to win the trophy for Southgate, whose future as manager is up in the air.
"It's hard to put into words how we're all feeling right now. Tough game. We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take," he told ITV.
"We've been coming from behind all tournament, we've got it in the locker. We didn't take the next step and win it.
"In the first half, we struggled. We couldn't keep the ball. Second half was better and we got the goal. We got caught with a cross and that's the final.
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Harry Kane said England wanted to win Euro 2024 for Gareth Southgate after their final defeat to Spain on Sunday
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"It's an opportunity missed. These finals aren't easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven't done it again. It's extremely painful and it'll hurt for a long time.
"Gareth will go away and take time to decide. We wanted to win it for him."
As for Southgate, the England boss admitted players weren't able to play at their 'physical peak' in Germany.
"Harry Kane has led the team brilliantly, but we have had a few [players] who are short of their physical peak - we have been battling with that the whole tournament," he stated.
England left Jack Grealish out of their squad for Euro 2024 this summer
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"You could see the toll of the extra-times and the intensity of the tournament.
"We have used the bench well, some great contributions from the squad but you could see in a few of the games legs were starting to go.
"Ultimately if you're having less of the ball with the opponent then that will tell."
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