Harry Kane accuses media of trying to create division in England camp | OneFootball

Harry Kane believes the media is “trying to create division” in the England camp after the furore surrounding Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham’s interviews with ITV after the win over Norway on Saturday.

After Bellingham’s brilliant double secured a 2-1 victory after extra time, Tuchel admitted his side was “lucky” to advance to the semi-finals and stated he was not happy with “everything” about the performance. When questioned about the “mentality”, Tuchel rallied against that notion, insisting his team showed “pure mentality.”

Moments later, ITV interviewer Gabriel Clarke told Bellingham that Tuchel was not pleased with the team’s display, to which the England star midfielder replied: “Whatever. It’s difficult out there, it’s a tough shift. My thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who are out there, putting [in] a great shift out there.”

Many fans and pundits have since accused the media of trying to stoke division within the England squad and captain Kane, speaking to the BBC ahead of Wednesday’s blockbuster semi-final against Argentina, said it was “an English mentality” to try and cause rifts within the camp.

“When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he [Bellingham] didn’t really know what the manager has said, what do you want Jude to say?” Kane said.

“We had just been through a battle. It was really tough out there. It is easy to try and create this division – it seems like an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments.

“But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness – not just the players, the coach and the staff.

“Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.”

After his match-winning double, Bellingham later doubled down on his comments, saying in the mixed zone: “Maybe he [Tuchel] doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Odegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sorloth... They’re not an easy team to play against.”

Kane believes that Tuchel’s forthright manner to the media and his players is what makes him “one of the best managers in the world.”

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Harry Kane has defended Jude Bellingham (Reuters)

“We understand it, players on the pitch know more than anyone when you are playing well, when you are not playing well, that is part and parcel of football,” Kane, who is level with Bellingham on six goals for the tournament, added.

“We understand what the boss meant, the boss has been so complimentary of the group.

“He said the mentality of the group, which is sometimes the hardest part, has been at the highest, highest level and we have been for some time now.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and people appreciate that. When he talks, it is never scripted. That is what makes him who he is.

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Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel had a difference of opinion after the win against Norway (Getty)

“When it just comes naturally, you believe in that, you believe in what he is saying, you believe in his approach.

“He is one of the best managers in the world for a reason. We understand it. Over the past two years, we have got to know him and know what makes him happy.”

Kane is set to lead his country out for the second time in a World Cup semi-final, after the 2018 defeat to Croatia. England have not faced Argentina in 21 years and their captain Lionel Messi has not previously played against the Three Lions.

Wednesday’s match kicks off at 8pm BST (3pm ET) in Atlanta.