Harry Kane has called out broadcasters for attempting to 'create division' at the World Cup following the fallout from Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham's post-match comments. England downed Norway in the quarter-finals thanks to two goals from Jude Bellingham, who scored his winner in extra-time. That set up a semi-final with Argentina but, despite the players being in jubilant mood, Thomas Tuchel was less than impressed.
Tuchel's Criticism and Bellingham's Response
The German claimed they were 'lucky' to win the game, criticising their performance, and when those comments were put to Bellingham he responded: 'Whatever. It’s difficult out there.' The England star was then quizzed on the comments again, to which he said Tuchel 'maybe doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions.'
Kane has leapt to the defence of all those involved in the camp and claimed that the headlines surrounding Bellingham and Tuchel are 'made out to be more than they are.' The striker told the BBC: 'When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he [Bellingham] didn’t really know what the manager has said, what do you want Jude to say? We had just been through a battle. It was really tough out there.'
Kane's Broader Critique of Media
Kane added: 'It is easy to try and create this division – it seems like an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments. But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness – not just the players, the coach and the staff. Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.'
The post-match comments made by the England boss and one of his star players have been thrust front and centre given the previous issues between the pair. Tuchel previously overlooked Bellingham and later had to u-turn on comments after describing Bellingham's on-field behaviour as 'repulsive.'
Kane's History of Calling Out Pundits
Kane hasn't been shy in calling out pundit comments that he disagrees with – doing so at Euro 2024. The Three Lions captain claimed former England internationals who are now pundits should 'remember what it’s like to wear the shirt' before they criticise after comments made by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. Lineker and Shearer analysed one of their performances during the BBC’s coverage before Lineker later used an expletive to describe the team’s performance on his Rest is Football podcast.
