Jamie Carragher has called on England boss Gareth Southgate to leave Harry Kane on the bench against the Czech Republic.
Kane was once again poor against Scotland on Friday night and was hauled off after 73 minutes by Southgate.
Roy Keane described Kane as “leggy” and said he was “glad” to see him substituted; now Carragher says he should be rested in England’s final group game against Czech Republic.
England 0-0 Scotland: Rating the players
He said in his Daily Telegraph column: ‘The issues I raised about Harry Kane in the aftermath of the Croatia game were apparent again. Those observations were never about being critical or negative for the sake of it.
‘The only way England can go far in this tournament is with a fit and on-form Kane so everything Southgate does in his team selection and set-up must be about getting the best from him.
‘That is why – for his and the team’s sake – I would leave him on the bench against the Czechs. It’s not about ‘dropping’ him. It’s about thinking ahead, revitalising Kane for the last-16 tie which is going to be against a much stronger opponent than Tuesday’s.
Click Here: georgia rugby jersey
‘He can recharge mentally and physically, liaising with the sports science team and formulating a plan to get himself right for the likely meeting with France, Portugal or Germany in eight or nine days’ time.
‘That would still be a brave decision by Southgate. What I like about Gareth is he is not shy to make those big calls, as shown when he changed a winning team against the Scots.’
Carragher also called for Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson to be involved on Tuesday, writing: ‘Hopefully Harry Maguire is ready for some minutes. So too Jordan Henderson. Their nous would have been invaluable against Scotland.
‘The time is also now for Jack Grealish. England are crying out for more invention in attack.’
Grealish? Sancho? Will Southgate take lid off England team?
‘It has to be a worry that they are not creating enough chances, or working opposition goalkeepers enough.
‘That was the most disappointing aspect of the performance against Scotland, but the jeering of the team at full-time was embarrassing. I will never understand how anyone could deem that justified or helpful, especially directing it at such talented, young players.’