Thomas Tuchel has said that Harry Kane is in top shape and ready to lead England to glory at the World Cup. The Bayern Munich striker has been short of fitness at previous major tournaments but he has enjoyed a brilliant season in Germany and has looked in peak physical condition in training this week.
England have prepared for the intense heat expected at the World Cup by heading to Florida to acclimatise to the weather and have been working in testing conditions at their pre-tournament base in West Palm Beach.
Tuchel is focused on recovery and knows that the team’s hopes of glory will rest heavily on Kane staying injury-free. The country’s record goalscorer remains a talismanic figure, despite struggling for form and fitness at Euro 2024, and has the backing of his manager before England cross Florida to face New Zealand in Tampa in their first warm-up game on Saturday.
“He looks in top shape,” Tuchel said. “He looks lean, sharp and he trains at the highest level. We had a defensive training session today and he was leading the intensity. He is so used to the high press from Bayern Munich and the intensive game that they play in the opponents’ half. He is leading by example. I think he is in the best shape.
“He is ready to go. We don’t have to be worried about him at all, even if it is hot in June. He has showed me the whole week that he is ready. He is our key player.”
The New Zealand game will kick off at 4pm local time (9pm BST), when the temperature is forecast to be 32C and the humidity levels at about 40%. Tuchel intends to play two different lineups in each half at the Raymond James Stadium and is focused on building his side’s energy levels.
“Some of them need a load, some of them need a recovery,” the German said. “We give 45 to everyone. We will try to keep Harry fit and play him as much as possible but hopefully we will have the chance to not need to play him every match 90 or 120 minutes.”
Tuchel indicated that Ollie Watkins will be Kane’s understudy, with Ivan Toney seen as more of a wildcard to use in specific situations. “I think Ollie is more the guy we need to start for Harry, if we think Harry should not start a match,” he said. “He can keep the intensity up, to keep the press going.
“Ivan is kind of a finisher for us. Maybe it’s a special task to take the attention off Harry. Then we have a second striker who’s very, very good in the box. He’s a good penalty taker. He trains on a high level. I’m very happy with him. He just showed that it was right to take him. He has a brilliant attitude. We have some options but Harry is, of course, the main guy in front.”
Tuchel downplayed concerns over the state of the pitch in Tampa, which is home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “We have a greenkeeper who takes care of it and I hope it will be all right,” he said. “It is an American football pitch. We are told it is OK. I saw just a photo, that made me a little bit worried but let’s decide when we are there.”
England’s final friendly is against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday. They do not play their first game in Group L until facing Croatia in Dallas on 15 June, giving them time to adjust to the hot weather. The squad’s Arsenal contingent will not be involved against New Zealand, having been given permission to arrive in Florida late after last weekend’s Champions League final.
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