HARRY: I WANT TO BE LIKE BECKS
Kane’s out to take it to the max as a national treasure WILSHERE’S OFF AFTER EMERY SNUB
TUNISIA ENGLAND
HARRY KANE has revealed he wants to be a captain to be remembered – just like David Beckham.
The Tottenham striker leads England into their opening Group G game against Tunisia tomorrow carrying the hopes of a nation.
And his ambition when his international days are over is to be seen like Beckham – as a national treasure.
Kane said: “I haven’t spoken to David but he was a big hero of mine because of the way he conducted himself both on and off the pitch.
“He was a player who gave everything every time he wore the shirt and that’s the kind of captain I want to be remembered as.
“I know whether I speak to him or not that he is a huge England fan. I think every single player in the squad has a lot of respect for him.”
Beckham was vilified at the World Cup in France 20 years ago for sabotaging England’s chances after being sent off (below) against Argentina in St Etienne.
Margins
But Kane – 25 next month – has taken inspiration from the way the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star went on to win 115 caps in a distinguished career for his country.
Kane said: “What happened to David shows how fine the margins can be at the World Cup.
“In the big moments, it is all about how you react.
“David showed his mental strength to go from villain to hero – but that’s the kind of person he is. For us now it’s all about playing in Russia with no expectation other than to do our best.
“Hopefully we can play with a freedom that other England teams haven’t had.
“All we want to do is do the country proud. We need to get the nation back with us after the disappointment of the Euros.
“What happened in France two years ago was hard for anyone to take.
“But with every down there is usually an up, and I have told myself throughout my career that the important thing is not to get too high when things are going well or too low when they’re not.
“Football is a game that can change in an instant. All I can promise is that I will do my best and the team will do their best.” Kane might be captain, but he doesn’t want to hog all the responsibility that goes with the skipper’s armband. He said: “As captain, maybe there will be even more expectation on my shoulders, but I think that it’s important to have four, five, six players who can lead. “It’s not good having one player who the others look to when things aren’t going right. “We have to have a number of players who, in a bad situation, will speak up and be honest with each other. “It can’t be that just because I am captain all the decisions fall on my and had agreed a deal but, after talks with Emery in the week, it has become clear he could end up being a fringe player rather than a regular starter.
It would be a heartbreaking decision for Wilshere to leave when his contract expires at the end of the month, but it looks likely he shoulders. There has to be other players around who take responsibility.”
Kane (right) was teased last season for claiming a goal against Stoke – a shot from Christian Eriksen that barely brushed across him.
But like any striker, although he’s a selfish goal-grabber in front of the target – Kane maintains he will always be a team player.
“My game has always been about putting the team first,” he insisted.
“Obviously, as a striker, first and foremost you have to have that little bit of selfishness when you are in front of goal.
“But I would always say that if I had a team-mate in a better position then I would give him the ball.” will end up at another club. Wolves, West Ham and Everton are among the clubs that have proposed deals.
Sampdoria, AC Milan and Juventus are also keen.
Arsenal have offered Wilshere £110,000 a week to stay, plus a £65,000 bonus if he plays and the team wins – taking him potentially to £175,000 a week. The deal has been
Selfishness
improved from the original offer and the Gunners were confident he would stay – only for Emery to leave him with a major dilemma.
The Arsenal boss made it clear he wants to keep Wilshere – but that he may not be guaranteed to start.
The Gunners have already tied down Granit Xhaka to a new deal, are trying to persuade Aaron Ramsey to sign a fresh contract and are keen on Sampdoria’s £26m-rated Lucas Torreira.
Wilshere is a huge fans’ favourite but now faces a massive dilemma over his future, knowing he could be down the pecking order.
He has dropped hints on social media about his future and it looks like he needs to leave his beloved Arsenal to play regularly.