‘Create division’: Kane shuts down England feud claims
England captain Harry Kane rubbished claims of a rift between star Jude Bellingham and coach Thomas Tuchel, telling the BBC the squad is “completely together” ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
The England manager openly voiced frustration with aspects of his team’s performance in the 2-1 win over Norway, saying his team was “lucky” to advance.
Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, speaks with Jude Bellingham. Getty Images
When asked about his manager’s comments, Bellingham replied: “Yeah, well, whatever. It’s difficult out there - it’s a tough shift.”
That led to speculation in the British media that all is not well between Tuchel and Bellingham, but Kane shut it down.
“When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he didn’t really know what had been said, what do you want Jude [Bellingham] to say?” Kane told the BBC.
“We had just been through a battle. It is easy to try and create this division - it seems like an English thing to do at these major tournaments.
“But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our complete togetherness - not just the players, the coach and the staff. Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.”
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed the same message.
“Like the manager said, the mentality we have in abundance and the togetherness we have, but we’re not the finished article.
“We hope the cream rises to the top. And we’ll always keep working harder to keep improving because you don’t want to think: the job’s done against Norway.”
From England’s victory at the 1966 World Cup to Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986, and major duels in 1998 and 2002, meetings between Argentina and England have long felt larger than the game.
Argentina’s run to the semi-finals has been accompanied by complaints over refereeing decisions and the team’s mastery of football’s so-called “dark arts”.
The reigning champions have reached the last four struggling far more than expected.
They beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time, staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down with 11 minutes remaining to defeat Egypt 3-2, and then overcame Switzerland 3-1 in extra time.
England’s route has been no less taxing.
Messi will play England for the first time. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Tuchel’s side survived with 10 men to beat Mexico in brutal conditions in Mexico City in the round of 16 before edging Norway after extra time in a hot and humid Miami.
Argentina’s hopes once again rest heavily on Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament, level with France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
Remarkably, Thursday will mark Messi’s first career appearance against England, adding another chapter to a fixture that has long captured the imagination of both nations.
Former Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, who played for Manchester City and Manchester United, believes the weight of history still lingers.
“They are surely waiting for revenge for what Diego did in 1986. They are thinking about that, they have a love-hate relationship with Diego because of that match. History is there, history is alive,” he said on ESPN Argentina.
England, meanwhile, have endured their own exhausting journey and arrive as battle-hardened as their opponents.
“Watching Argentina, I think we can beat them,” former England forward Ian Wright said on the “Stick to Football” podcast.
“The way they play and how narrow they are, I think we’ll be able to block them and break.”
