Should England drop Kane? The Athletic's Oli Kay, Jacob Whitehead, and Ahmed Walid discuss Kane's impact and tactical strategies for the semi-finals. They also analyze the role of forwards in the Euros and compare players like De Pei and Weghorst. The podcast explores alternative strategies for England's team, including potential substitutions and tactical choices. Lastly, they delve into the Netherlands' attacking setup against England and preview upcoming matches.
Debates on Harry Kane's impact in England squad raise questions about his tactical fit and goal threat potential.
Shift towards versatile center forwards over traditional target men emphasizes tactical evolution in international football.
Deep dives
Understanding Olympic Medals Composition
Gold medals in the Olympics are mainly silver with a gold plating to achieve their iconic look. Similarly, silver medals are composed of silver, while bronze medals consist of a mix of copper and other metals like tin or zinc. Despite the symbolic value of Olympic medals, their material worth is not significant. Interestingly, recent games have seen medals made from recycled materials like cell phones.
Discussion on England's Performance in the Tournament
England's journey in the tournament has been marked by mixed performances, with notable challenges faced, including Harry Kane's struggle to showcase his usual impact. While Southgate's team has shown resilience in key moments, there is a collective desire for improved overall performance as the competition intensifies. Evaluating Kane's physical condition and on-field contributions sparks debates on his effectiveness in the team.
Comparing Harry Kane to Ronaldo and England's Tactical Considerations
Assessing Harry Kane's performance in the tournament prompts comparisons to Ronaldo and raises questions about his fitness and tactical fit in the team. Kane's role and style of play, characterized by dropping back and linking up, face scrutiny for their effectiveness in the England setup. Discussions around utilizing Kane optimally amidst tactical adjustments and potential impact as a goal threat reveal ongoing debates and strategic considerations.
Exploring Target Men in International Football
Delving into the role of target men in international football reveals contrasting approaches across teams, emphasizing the preference for more versatile center forwards over traditional aerial threats. Analyzing the tournament's varied striker profiles exemplifies the shift towards more all-round forwards adept at creating opportunities and contributing beyond scoring goals. The tactical evolution and diverse strategies surrounding target men highlight the nuanced roles they play in elevating team dynamics and attacking strategies.
England are through to the semi-final at Euro 2024 after seeing off Switzerland on penalties. Yet for Gareth Southgate’s side there were familiar problems in Dusseldorf with Harry Kane again struggling to make an impact.
No doubt he’ll start Wednesday’s semi-final against the Netherlands but should he?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's senior football writer Oli Kay as well as Jacob Whitehead to discuss Kane's role ahead of Wednesday's meeting in Dortmund.
Football tactics writer Ahmed Walid also drops in to join in the conversation around the rest of the semi-finalists leading forwards while Pol Ballus explains the importance of Alvaro Morata to Spain both on and off the pitch.