Euro 2020: Ferdinand says Kane should be replaced against Czech Republic if things don’t improve

Rio Ferdinand says Harry Kane should be replaced at half time against the Czech Republic if things don’t improve for the England striker as he awaits his first shot on target in a lacklustre start to the tournament

  • Harry Kane has had just three shots in England’s first two Euro 2020 games 
  • None of those efforts were on target and Kane was replaced against Scotland
  • Rio Ferdinand feels Kane should against the Czech Republic on Tuesday
  • However, he believes Kane should come off at half time if things don’t change
  • England’s only goal of the tournament so far has been from Raheem Sterling
  • The Three Lions will face Euro 2020 joint-top scorer Patrik Schick at Wembley 
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here

Rio Ferdinand thinks Harry Kane should be given the first half against Czech Republic to prove himself and should be replaced if he doesn’t improve on his desperately disappointing start to Euro 2020.

Kane has only mustered three shots in the Three Lions’ opening two Group D matches against Croatia and Scotland, with none of those efforts on target. 

The Tottenham talisman was hooked on 74 minutes for Marcus Rashford against Steve Clarke’s men as the underdogs north of the border played impressively to secure a well-earned Wembley draw. 

Harry Kane has yet to register a shot on target at Euro 2020 and has mustered just three shots

The 27-year-old has been anonymous despite a superb season in front of goal for Tottenham

The 27-year-old has been anonymous despite a superb season in front of goal for Tottenham

Kane was replaced with 16 minutes of normal time to go against Scotland by Marcus Rashford

Kane was replaced with 16 minutes of normal time to go against Scotland by Marcus Rashford

Rio Ferdinand says Kane should come off at half time if things don't change against the Czechs

Rio Ferdinand says Kane should come off at half time if things don’t change against the Czechs

While Ferdinand cited Kane’s astonishing impact at his club this season, he accepted on BBC Radio 5Live that the 27-year-old is under pressure. 

‘I would still play him. I’d demand more from him. There’s a conversation there to be had. You need more. He’s a top player,’ the former Manchester United and England centre back said.

‘Last season (he had) the most assists, the most goals in the Premier League. You don’t become a bad player overnight, but I want to see the Harry Kane I saw in the Premier League, I want to see it in the Euros.

‘I think there is a stern conversation, a workings out conversation to get the best out of Harry Kane and if it isn’t working out after 45 minutes (against the Czech Republic), get someone else on there.

Raheem Sterling's winner against Croatia is England's only goal in the tournament to date

Raheem Sterling’s winner against Croatia is England’s only goal in the tournament to date

Czech Republic dangerman Patrik Schick is the tournament's joint-top scorer with three goals

Czech Republic dangerman Patrik Schick is the tournament’s joint-top scorer with three goals

‘Don’t wait until 13 minutes before the end of the game. It’s not long enough for these players to really impact the game.’

England’s only goal in the tournament to date was Raheem Sterling’s finish from Kalvin Phillips’ through-ball against Croatia and Gareth Southgate’s men only managed one shot on target against the Scots, who managed 11 shots to England’s nine and produced two shots on target in a tense affair. 

England now go into their final group game against the Czech Republic, who are also on four points and possess the tournament’s joint-top scorer so far in Patrik Schick, who was the scorer of a jaw-dropping 45-yard strike for his second goal in their opening match at Hampden Park, before slotting home from the spot against Croatia on Friday after being elbowed in the box by Dejan Lovren. 

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