World Cup: Harry Kane on Tuchel's comments, Bellingham & Argentina

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1:07That's O-D-O-O dot com. At the People World Cup 2026, Kelly Summers on the Football Daily Podcast. Listen on BBC Sounds. Well, Harry, 60 years on from the last time England were in a World Cup final, you're just one match away from captaining England to another. in one word, how does that feel? Exciting. Yeah, to have that opportunity to, you know, have the moment to try and get us to a World Cup final is extremely rare. And yeah, I think it's the most exciting part of the tournament. You know, you deal with so much pressure and commitment over a long period of time. And now it's kind of the final week, the final hurdle.

1:56So, yeah, we have to try and enjoy it as much as possible. And yeah, I'm really looking forward to the game. How do you assess England's tournament so far? Outstanding. To be in a semi-final of a World Cup, no matter how you play or what you can do better. This was the goal two years ago when the boss arrived. We spoke about climbing the mountain and so much goes into every camp, every time we're together through the qualification, into the tournament, the group stage, knockouts. And we've done everything right to be here now. And we fully deserve to be in this moment. So, like I spoke after the last game, of course, we know there's still things we can improve and we can get better.

2:41But ultimately, it's about being in this situation, the final four. And yeah, now it's that one big push, the final week, two games away from making history. And that's where our focus is. The manager said after the Norway game that he still felt there was more to come from England in terms of the performance. How were his comments received in the dressing room? Yeah, I think we understand it. I think players on the pitch know more than anyone when you're playing well, when you're not playing well, when you're maybe giving away too many sloppy balls or not winning your duels in defensive actions.

3:14But that is part and parcel of football. We understand what the boss meant and the boss has been so complimentary about us as a group and he said as well from the mentality point of view which is sometimes the hardest part to get we're at the the highest highest level and we have been for a period of time now um again i think when he sees us train and he sees the freedom he sees the the attacking play uh in training of course he wants to to see that on the pitch it's not always possible for for many different reasons playing against typical opponents humidity heat situations pressure you know there's a lot that goes into all of these games.

3:51So, yeah, ultimately, we try and do our best in every moment. Norway, yeah, there was some things we could have improved, but also a lot of great things as well. And, yeah, you try and take positives from every little situation. And, you know, going into this game now, that's what it's all about. What did you make of Jude's response to the manager's comments? Yeah, look, it's hard. When you're playing a game, especially a game like that, and you get asked a question two minutes after the final whistle when he hasn't really known what the managers really said. It's like, what do you want Jude to say?

4:24You know what I mean? We've just been through a battle. It was really tough out there. So yeah, I think it's easy to try and create this division. It always seems to be maybe an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments, but it's the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness, not just the players, but the coach and the staff and everyone who's involved. So, yeah, things just get sometimes made out so much more than what they really are. You know, we're doing incredibly well. The boss knows that. The players know that. So, yeah, our focus is literally on what's ahead.

4:58And that's a really tough game against a great Argentina side. Is it perhaps also that Thomas is a bit more of a direct manager than maybe England fans have been used to hearing from? Maybe. Wears his heart on the sleeve. And I think people appreciate that as well. The honesty, the emotion, the feeling. and you get all of that when he talks, you know. It's never scripted, it's just purely what comes into his head. Is that what's so special about him in a way? I think so, I think, yeah, that's what makes him who he is. And, you know, we've had many occasions, meetings, speeches from him, we spoke after Croatia, the half-time.

5:35I think when it just comes natural, as players, you believe in that, you believe in what he's saying, you believe in his approach. And, yeah, he's one of the best managers in the world for a reason. and his character is a big part of that. So you don't ever want to take that away. And yeah, we understand him. That's what these relationships are for as players and coaches over the two years he's been here, to get to know him, know what makes him happy, what makes him unhappy, what makes him tick, what gives him energy. And he finds the same in every player. And that's part and parcel of the relationship.

6:07So from that point of view, it couldn't have gone any better so far. Some people have said that England have an over-reliance on yourself and Jude Bellingham. What do you say to those people? Yeah, that's just football. I don't know what people expect. It's like I said at the start of the tournament, people, Argentina rely on Messi, France rely on Mbappe, Alise. Spain rely on Jamal maybe. It's like, yeah, it's one of those where the guys who people expect to score and now we score, it's like, oh, they're scoring too much. Maybe other people should score. it doesn't really uh complete it doesn't completely make sense but um yeah i think throughout a tournament you need moments you need match winners you need heroes as much as people will talk about me and judith you know we wouldn't be in this competition still if it wasn't for every single player here and and the saves pickers has made the the blocks the defense have made the running the the commitment you know the midfielders are doing the wingers 1v1 all the time is It's such a team game.

7:10I think it's so easy in these big tournaments to just make it about individuals and make it about one or two players. But without the whole team on the same page, the same togetherness, the same mentality, we wouldn't be where we are now. Football is like that. You score the goals, you get the rewards. I know that more than anyone, but I also know there's so much more that goes into a game of football than just the goal scorers. Why does the partnership between the two of you work so well? Yeah, I think we're both in a good moment. I think physically, mentally, both in good shape. I think there's been a real hunger and desire since we met up in Florida.

7:54Me personally finishing the season the way I did with a couple of hat tricks, the cup final, I felt I just kept that rolling into this tournament. Jude come in with a real bit between the teeth to, I think, prove himself and prove why he's at Real Madrid, why he is who he is, one of the best players in the world. You saw that energy early on from him and we've kind of just used each other and that energy into the games, into training around the place. And yeah, we've kind of taken that onto the pitch. Is his best position, because we know he can play a number of positions in the 10 just behind you, is that where you like him the most?

8:30To be honest, I think he's good in any of those positions. I think certain games will dictate a little bit differently. But yeah, I think he's a great goal scorer. So I think playing as a 10 helps him in that sense of arriving into the box, being higher up, being in dangerous goal scoring areas, kind of like he's two goals in Miami against Norway, you know, almost like striker goals. But also he's so good as an eight, driving with the ball, defending up and down the pitch. He has that engine of a number eight. So really, I think he's exceptional in both positions. I think the games will kind of dictate what suits him a little bit more.

9:07And that's when you rely on the boss and the manager and the coaches to get that right. As for you, over 70 goals this season, Harry, that's 20 more than you scored just the season before. What has been the secret? Good question. It's hard to really put a finger on. I think, yeah, I guess this year, a lot of things have just come together in the right moment, the right time. I feel physically, mentally fresh. I think the players I've had around me all season, both for club and country, have helped me perform at this level. It's hard to really know. I dedicate every year to improve. Have you not changed anything?

9:47Was there something you did different in pre-season? No, I think maybe just even more. I've been even more conscious on recovery and healthy eating. I think that happens naturally as well as you get a little bit older, you start to know that every little detail is even more important. So, yeah, I'd say probably from the start of the season, just coming off the back of winning the season before, and I think you're always a little bit like, oh, how am I going to react to winning my first trophy? And if anything, it just gave me more push and more motivation to say, yeah, I need to get better here.

10:20I need to improve. There's still areas I can work on. and that's what I've kind of done. And, you know, sometimes you look through history of different teams, different nations and of players who just have a year where kind of everything goes their way. I've still had not everything go my way, obviously, Champions League and things that could have been better, but for the most part, it's been really special. And now, you know, I'm in that final week of what's been an amazing season. I'm kind of just excited to be back out there and try and, you know, have this one big push in these last two games.

10:53Let me take you back to Euro 2024. Did you have a bit of a point to prove after that as well? Yeah, maybe. I think everyone knows how much representing England means to me, especially in major tournaments. And of course, the way that ended and with the disappointment. Yeah, sometimes losing those big games just gives you more motivation, gives you more of a point to prove. When people maybe start to question you in the national team. and if anything that makes me almost a little bit better and almost drives me on. Like I touched on there, I think playing for England is the biggest honour and it's something that I want to do for the rest of my life.

11:35After that tournament, that disappointment, I think it just gave me almost another boost to say you can get better, you can feel better, you can physically be in better shape. and when I look back over those two years, that's definitely been the case. Argentina next in a World Cup semi-final. You'll know the history. Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane on the pitch. It's all set up, isn't it? Potentially for England to rewrite the history now. Yeah, we have that opportunity and it goes back to that exciting feeling. Of course, there'll be nerves, there'll be pressure, but ultimately, what a game to be involved in.

12:13When you dream of playing for England and as a kid, you have all these feelings of maybe being there one day. This is essentially what you dream of, playing one of the biggest nations in a semi-final of a World Cup, trying to be the one to make the difference, trying to be the hero in the moment and help the team get over the line. The best players on the biggest stage playing against each other. I think the top four ranked nations in the world playing in the semi-finals against each other is exactly what it's all about. So, yeah, honestly, I can't wait for the game. I think it's going to be an amazing feeling, an amazing occasion.

12:54And ultimately just excited to test myself against the very best on the biggest deal. Best of luck. Thank you.

13:15Everyone standing around the 18th green. Overhead kick. That is sensational. He shows to the centre. And Donald to it. Oh, the right hand and the former champion is down. It's extraordinary stuff. They've done a show for us tonight. He gets on his knees and kisses the turf. Five Live Sports. The home of the world's greatest sporting events. The full-time wisdom. Listen on BBC Sounds.

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