England manager Thomas Tuchel will have to do without star striker and captain Harry Kane in Thursday’s international friendly against Wales at Wembley. However, the German coach remains determined to maintain momentum and push his squad for more, following a dominant 5-0 win over Serbia that marked a promising turning point in his tenure.
With Kane out but Tuchel wanting more, all eyes are on how England will respond without their talisman, especially as they prepare for more serious World Cup qualifying challenges ahead.
Harry Kane, who has netted an incredible 18 goals in 10 matches for club and country this season, is sidelined due to a knock sustained during Bayern Munich’s last match. Tuchel, speaking in his pre-match press conference, confirmed that Kane’s absence is a precautionary measure.
“Harry will miss the game. He got a kick in his last game with Bayern Munich and it was too risky that he gets another kick and will be in an up-and-down situation pain-wise,” Tuchel explained.
“We are convinced he will be ready for the match against Latvia.”
Tuchel, who took over the England job with high expectations, appears to be playing the long game — ensuring his key players are fit for crucial World Cup qualifiers. But the message is clear: Kane may be out, but Tuchel wants more from the rest of the squad.
Kane Out but Tuchel Wants More After Serbia Statement Win
In a surprising move, Tuchel chose to exclude high-profile names like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish from his latest squad. Instead, he opted to reward players who were available and performed during the previous international break.
Tuchel defended his selections by emphasizing unity, consistency, and meritocracy within the camp:
“The decisions are for the players in camp — not against those who are out. We just have to make a choice. It’s a good problem to have with such a deep pool of talent,” he said.
“We’re sticking with the group that had a brilliant camp last time. Now, we can’t start with the same 11 as against Serbia, so there will be changes. The competition is on.”
His comments underline that even with Kane out, Tuchel expects the same intensity and hunger from his squad — a message that signals a strong culture shift within the England setup.
Thursday’s friendly against Wales offers an ideal platform for fringe players to step up in Kane’s absence. Tuchel is expected to rotate the squad, giving minutes to those eager to make an impression ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy, leading the side in the absence of Rob Page, acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“It’s difficult circumstances at an incredible place like Wembley, but to us, it is excitement,” said Bellamy.
“We’re not here as tourists. We’re here to be the best version of ourselves. That allows you to enjoy the game, and compete.”
Bellamy also praised England’s “ridiculous” depth, which becomes even more evident when players like Kane, Bellingham, and Foden are missing, yet England remains a formidable force.
Tuchel isn’t just chasing another victory — he’s aiming for consistency, identity, and long-term growth. The 5-0 win over Serbia was a step in the right direction after a mixed start to his time in charge, which included unconvincing wins against smaller nations and a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.
“The level we can play — that’s what we want to keep going,” Tuchel stated. “The expectations are always high. And when we don’t perform, I expect criticism. That’s the job.”
Even without his star striker, Tuchel expects a commanding performance. Kane out but Tuchel wants more isn’t just a tactical situation — it’s a mentality shift. He wants England to function as a unit, regardless of which big names are available.
Following Thursday’s clash with Wales, England will turn their attention to a World Cup qualifying match against Latvia. Tuchel is confident Kane will return for that fixture, but the Wales game will serve as a crucial test of England’s squad depth and mental resilience.
The fixture also gives Tuchel a chance to further stamp his identity on the team — blending the tactical discipline he’s known for with the attacking flair England fans crave.
The narrative heading into Thursday is clear: Kane is out, but Tuchel wants more. More from his squad. More consistency. More hunger. And ultimately, more belief that England can build a team not reliant on any single player — even one as prolific as Harry Kane.
As Tuchel continues to reshape the Three Lions in his image, this match could provide another defining moment in what he hopes will be a transformative reign.
Source- EWN