Thomas Tuchel has spoken about Harry Kane ahead of England’s Nations League match against Croatia at Wembley, where Kane will be presented with the Ballon d’Or and is expected to break the all-time England appearances record with his 126th cap.
Ballon d'Or presentation and England appearance record
Harry Kane is 33 years old and is preparing for his first game since winning the Ballon d'Or. Kane currently shares the record for all-time England appearances with Peter Shilton and is preparing for his record 126th England cap, with expectations that he will set a new outright record during the match against Croatia. Before kick-off at Wembley, Kane will be presented with the Ballon d'Or trophy in front of the home support.
Thomas Tuchel said: "It's a big occasion to present the Ballon d’Or to our fans and bring it to the country, and have it on the same day when he gets his all-time record for 126 matches. It’s a beautiful, beautiful occasion."
Tuchel’s view of Kane as the perfect captain
Thomas Tuchel hailed Harry Kane as the "perfect captain" and "standout player" from his squad and said he knew he had a leader by example in Kane. Tuchel explained that he and Kane had talked at Kane’s home in Munich about the England job and what they both wanted from it.
Thomas Tuchel said: "We had talked at his home in Munich and talked about it and what we both wanted from the job. We knew each other and I knew I had a perfect captain and a leader by example, and that's nice to have."
Asked whether the opportunity to work with Kane, who he managed at Bayern Munich during the 2023-24 season, drew him to take the job with England, Tuchel said: "Harry was the standout player and I knew him of course, we worked together at Bayern so that made the decision very easy, but I was very excited to be close to the Premier League and close to this group of players and have the chance to pick them."
Tuchel also spoke about his feelings towards the England squad, saying: "I'm in love with their attitude, their spirit, the energy of them and that's what they have proved and that's why this team is very exciting and it means a lot having Harry as captain - it was an add-on, a bonus."
Nations League match that matters, not a friendly
Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Harry Kane would start England's Nations League encounter with Croatia at Wembley on Thursday and that Kane will start as captain for England in the match. Tuchel stated that the match against Croatia is a Nations League match and not a friendly.
Thomas Tuchel said: "On top of that it's a match that matters, it is not a friendly, it is a Nations League match. It is something Harry has to digest it as quickly as possible. There will be a lot of praise, a lot of emotions before kick-off and we need him in the best shape to win the match for us."
Asked whether Kane was England’s greatest-ever player, Tuchel said: "I don’t know, but he is up there of course. It’s now proven and it's always nice if things are proven. He has his collection of prizes, his records, he will build on these records, score more goals and get more games. Tomorrow he will start as captain of course."
England’s group situation and fixtures
England play Croatia at home before travelling to Spain to face the A3 group leaders. England need just a point to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals in March. England previously thrashed Croatia 7-0 in the reverse Nations League fixture.
