Kane defends brother’s role in failed attempt to leave Spurs and will keep him as agent
England captain says criticism has brought his family together Out-of-form forward admits the Euros ‘took a lot out’ of him
England captain Harry Kane has launched a strong defence of his brother, Charlie, acting as his agent during this summer’s failed attempt to leave Tottenham Hotspur, and will continue with the arrangement.
Kane made it clear before the European Championship that he wanted to join Manchester City but his off-the-pitch team, led by his sibling’s CK66 agency, failed to engineer a move away and took the brunt of the blame from fans on social media.
However, the 28-year-old has indicated that he will continue with Charlie as his agent and says his family are stronger together following the criticism.
“In the summer, there was a lot of stuff about my brother being my agent. That’s where we stick together,” Kane said. “I know what he does for me as an agent, I know what he does for me as a brother and that’s all that matters.
“The rest of it is just noise from our point of view. It’s just about us sticking together and whatever the circumstance, always being there for each other and that’s what we’ll continue to do.
“Whenever there is stuff being written about your family, it’s always maybe a little bit difficult to take, especially when it’s stuff that’s negative. But I think that’s when families really come together during those moments.”
Kane will lead England out tonight against Albania knowing that victory at Wembley will effectively qualify them for the World Cup, as they are likely to need just a point against San Marino next week.
Gareth Southgate has been handed a selection dilemma following Declan Rice’s withdrawal through illness and Luke Shaw missing training this week due to concussion protocols, putting Ben Chilwell in the frame to start.
Harry Maguire is set to return to the line-up after missing last month’s draw with Hungary through injury. But Mason Mount is recovering from dental surgery and is set to miss both games which will decide Group I.
Kane has not scored in his past five games for Tottenham and his form has dipped since his failed summer move. He has insisted that he should not be seen as undroppable, despite being England’s fifthhighest goalscorer of all time.
“From my point of view, my attitude has always been as a player to always fear for my place, whether it be for club or country,” Kane said. “The way you train and the way you prepare, you should always feel there is somebody trying to take your spot.
“Every time you are not on the pitch is an opportunity for somebody else to take your place. That is the way I have always looked at it. I guess it comes down to perception and what people think, but in my head, and the way I think, I have got to be ready as I could be replaced at any moment.
“I feel like if you get too comfortable and too complacent, all of a sudden somebody does take your place and you are sitting on the bench wondering what happened.”
Kane has scored one Premier League goal this season but has found the target more easily in the Europa Conference League and for England.
Southgate has suggested his captain will be invigorated by Antonio Conte’s appointment as Spurs head coach, after his post-euros dip.
“It’s easy for people to try and look for an excuse when maybe you’re not on form or you’re not scoring as many as you usually do,” Kane said.
“That’s where it’s important, kind of my own self-belief, my own mentality, just to work harder and that’s always been my approach.
“It’s always hard whenever you finish a major tournament. The last two major tournaments we’ve had, semi-final, final, it takes a lot out of you. Not just physically but mentally as well. Then all of a sudden you’re back playing Premier League.
“You never really have a chance to take it all in and learn from what happened. It almost becomes a bit of a whirlwind sometimes. It’s about adapting to that.”