England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed that captain Harry Kane is unhappy with players who withdraw from international duty over minor fitness concerns.

The Bayern Munich striker believes representing England should remain a priority for every player, particularly when there is uncertainty over their fitness.

According to GOAL, Tuchel disclosed that Kane raised the issue shortly after he was appointed England manager, stressing the importance of maintaining high standards within the national team.

What Tuchel Said

“He is always here and doesn’t like it if 50-50 decisions are taken by the players not to come to camp,” Tuchel said.

“We had this conversation very early when I took the job and it was one of his points, to make sure that players come and are proud to arrive because it’s the biggest honour.”

The England manager also warned that players who repeatedly miss international camps risk losing their places to others willing to take advantage of the opportunity.

He added: “We need to make sure that if it happens (withdrawals) we are so strong that we actually set the tone that everybody is desperate to be in camp, because everybody can lose their shirt if they miss out on a camp.

“So it was one of the first discussions and straight away he set the standard and made it very clear where the standards are for him. He would never pull out. Never.”

Tuchel’s Warning Follows Palmer’s Absence From England’s Squad

The warning comes amid renewed scrutiny of Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer’s absence from England’s squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.

Palmer, who previously withdrew from international duty because of fitness concerns, was overlooked for the latest squad despite returning to action for Chelsea.

Tuchel has maintained that his decision to exclude the attacking midfielder was not personal, explaining that he preferred to reward players who had impressed during previous international camps.

The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager believes regular attendance at international camps is essential to building a competitive and committed squad.

Meanwhile, Kane continues to demonstrate his commitment to England as he prepares to become the country’s most-capped men’s player.

The 33-year-old is set to make his 126th international appearance against Croatia on Thursday, surpassing former goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s longstanding record.