Wayne Rooney has voiced concerns about Harry Kane maintaining his fitness levels and steering clear of injury to guarantee his availability for England at this summer's World Cup. Kane is presently with the Three Lions squad for the friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan.
The Bayern Munich forward did not take part in the 1-1 stalemate against Uruguay on Friday evening, but may receive some playing time in the friendly clash against Japan on Tuesday evening at Wembley Stadium. Kane has performed a crucial role at Bayern once more this campaign, netting 48 goals across 40 outings in all competitions, including 31 in the Bundesliga.
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This form has enabled Bayern to establish a nine-point advantage at the summit of the Bundesliga over rivals Borussia Dortmund and has also propelled the German outfit to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will meet Real Madrid.
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Rooney has underlined the significance of Kane staying fit for when England travel to the World Cup this summer. “I think such an important aspect for England is having Harry Kane fit and if he is, then he’ll be a major reason why we do win it if we do,” he told the Press Association.
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“But if you go into any game and you’re not fully committed to that game because you’re thinking of something else then you potentially could get injured.
“Any player will tell you that you’re playing for your club and when you’re playing for your club, that’s all that matters until that season is over then you go away with England then England take over.
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“I don’t think he’ll be slowing down. Hopefully Bayern Munich have the league won quite early and (head coach) Vincent Kompany gives him a little bit of help!”
England will face Panama, Ghana and Croatia in the group stages of the World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
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Despite Kane netting 133 goals in the 136 matches he's appeared in for Bayern since departing Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, the forward has only ever managed to place as high as 10th in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
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“He’s consistent in what he’s done his whole career: he’s scored goals, he’s created goals at both club and international level,” Rooney said.
“To do it year in, year out, and he never gets mentioned for the big honours which I find quite strange.”