Thomas Tuchel[1] has revealed three England stars are in contention to captain the Three Lions against Wales, after Harry Kane[2] was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Kane sustained a knock in the closing stages of Bayern Munich[3]‘s 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend.
The England captain has not been able to train with the Three Lions in the build-up to Thursday’s friendly with Wales at Wembley.
Speaking ahead of the match, Tuchel confirmed Kane’s absence as the England boss admitted it would be ‘too risky’ for him to feature.
Tuchel revealed Jordan Henderson[4], John Stones[5] and Declan Rice[6] as his three options to captain the side in Kane’s absence.
Harry will miss the game, he got a kick in his last game with Bayern Munich,’ Tuchel said.
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed three stars are in contention to captain England against Wales
Captain Harry Kane will play no part after a knock in his last Bayern Munich match
‘It was too risky that he gets another kick and will be in an up and down situation pain wise.
‘I think we are convinced he will be ready for the match against Latvia.
‘The options for captains will be one of Jordan Henderson, John Stones and Declan Rice.’
Kane has started and captained England in all six of Tuchel’s matches in charge of England to date.
Kyle Walker assumed the captaincy when Kane was withdrawn during England’s 3-1 friendly defeat by Senegal back in June.
Rice briefly took the armband after Kane was substituted in last month’s 5-0 win over Serbia, only to pass it on to Henderson when he was brought off for the Brentford man minutes later.
Man City defender John Stones has yet to feature for England under Tuchel, with the defender having been forced to withdraw from the September internationals due to injury.
Tuchel declared that he ‘loved’ that Stones was back in contention, as he lauded the influence 31-year-old can have on the squad along with Kane, Henderson and Rice.
Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice both captained England when Kane came off against Serbia
Tuchel confirmed John Stones is also in contention to captain the Three Lions against Wales
‘I love that John Stones is in camp, He only had half a camp last time. I saw how gutted he was last time when he had to leave again.
‘He is a deep thinker, intelligent and very sensitive personality.
‘It is brilliant to have him, together with Harry, with Jordan, with Declan, they have an attitude towards training, what it takes to be a professional player and a team player that is of highest, highest standards.
‘It is infectious if these guys are in camp, everyone steps up because these guys accept nothing else than their level and their level is the highest level. It means in any training session from the first minute, off the pitch and John drives these standards.
‘He is so, so professional and driven, that is why for me he is a leader, a top leader of this group.’
References
- ^ Thomas Tuchel (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Harry Kane (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Bayern Munich (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Jordan Henderson (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ John Stones (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Declan Rice (www.dailymail.co.uk)