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‘He’s just stood there!’ – Gabby Agbonlahor pleads with Gareth Southgate to make Harry Kane call

talksport.com 3 days ago

Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Gareth Southgate to replace Harry Kane earlier if he continues to offer nothing in attack.

The England skipper scored the decisive goal that sent the Three Lions into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on a difficult evening against Slovakia.

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Harry Kane did little to impress Gabby Agbonlahor during England's clash with Slovakia
Harry Kane did little to impress Gabby Agbonlahor during England's clash with Slovakia

After falling behind early on, Jude Bellingham scored an overhead kick to take the game to extra time, before Kane popped up with a header to secure a 2-1 scoreline.

But despite showing up when it mattered, former Aston Villa and England striker Agbonlahor told talkSPORT's Sports Breakfast that the Bayern Munich star simply hasn't offered enough in his all-round game at the Euros so far and should have been replaced much earlier in the game.

Responding to a caller named Terry who claimed Gareth Southgate's decision not to replace Harry Kane was justified, Agbonlahor replied: "I disagree mate. Ollie Watkins could have scored that goal, Ivan Toney could have scored that goal – it was a tap-in with a header from close-range.

“We have to make changes earlier. I couldn’t care less about the goal because anyone could have scored that goal, he’s in the right position at the right time.

“I was watching the game and Harry Kane is just stood in the middle – he’s not coming short to get the ball, he’s not running behind and stretching the centre-half.

“I played as a lone striker many times, you can’t just stay in the middle of the pitch. You have to make runs so that Bellingham goes past you or Foden comes in off the left-hand side – he’s just stood there and not offering anything.

“He’s not holding the ball up, not winning headers or stretching defenders – we need more from our striker.

“Yes, he scored the winner and yes, he scored the winner in extra time, but he’s not done enough to be staying on the pitch as long as he did."

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Kane netted England's winner against Slovakia, but Gabby says that he should have come off earlier
Kane netted England's winner against Slovakia, but Gabby says that he should have come off earlier

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Ivan Toney didn't come on until the fourth minute of injury time
Ivan Toney didn't come on until the fourth minute of injury time

With Ivan Toney making an impression off the bench and Ollie Watkins desperate to feature, Agbonlahor says that Southgate has a big decision to make ahead of their quarter-final clash with Switzerland.

He said: "Would I start him in the next game? Yes, I would, but would I bring him off earlier in the 50th minute for Watkins? Yes, I would.

Watch as Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy go crazy for Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane's game winning goals against Slovakia

“We were crying out for someone to run in behind. If you ask a midfielder, they love a striker who can run in behind. It creates so much space for other players.”

Agbonlahor added: "I don’t understand it. You don’t need your coaching badges to understand that it isn’t working.

“Foden is not working on the left. He’s had four games – it’s not his fault, he’s just not used to playing there in the last year. Even for Manchester City he’s not been playing there.

“Put Foden in the middle. For me, Eze came on and did enough to start – him or Gordon on that left-hand side. Saka is touch and go, for me. I’d bring Cole Palmer in for Saka.

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EXCLUSIVE

“Harry Kane, yes he scored, but he’s doing nothing at all. Everybody can see these changes apart from our manager.”

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