The Tottenham Hotspur forward is yet to open his scoring in Qatar, as Gareth Southgate’s side prepares for their first knockout round contest.
Follow Us
England have a tough round-of-16 assignment against Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The upcoming contest against the African champions will be extremely difficult for the Three Lions for various reasons. One of them is their misfiring frontman, Harry Kane. The Tottenham Hotspur forward is yet to open his scoring in Qatar, as Gareth Southgate’s side prepares for their first knockout round contest of this tournament. If England are to go deep in this World Cup, then Southgate would need an in-form Kane firing on all cylinders.
It is important to note that Harry Kane sustained a knock during England’s opening victory against Iran. He still managed to play against the United States and Wales, however, Kane is yet to open his goal tally at this World Cup. “My foot feels fine. It’s no problem at all and it’s been getting better day by day,” he said ahead of this contest. “I would love to be sitting here with two or three goals but the group stages have gone well. Minutes-wise it’s not been too tough.
“When you look at the numbers the games haven’t been too physical. I feel really good, fit and sharp coming off the back of the Premier League schedule. I feel as match fit as I’m ever going to feel. and I think I’ve been playing well. Goals are what I will be judged on most, but I’m a calm individual and I always feel like doing my best for the team. Hopefully, I can get off the mark tomorrow.”
Read More – England vs Senegal: Southgate urges his players to improve from set-pieces
Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire is optimistic about England’s chances of going all the way to lift the World Cup. Speaking about their World Cup chances, Maguire said, “The expectation has risen, for sure. Going into the 2018 World Cup, we wanted to do well and had good belief in ourselves as a group but we didn’t expect to win the tournament. This World Cup is so tough and has some great teams in it. But we feel like we’re one of them and we have an opportunity to make history again. We know it will be tough and you need them big moments and big goals in games, especially in knockout football. But we have players who can deliver that moment.”
Despite enduring a tough few months with Manchester United, Maguire has been a key component of England’s success in Qatar till now. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Maguire said, “I’m in a good moment, three good games as a group but as an individual as well. The fans have been great with me ever since I made my debut, 51 caps later and they’re still chanting my name.”
“I know the England fans, I’ve followed the team throughout my life and been in the stands with them, signing and chanting. I know how passionate they are and they’ve been amazing with me since I made my debut. They give me great belief, confidence and motivation to make sure I’m a success for my country.”
