Thomas Frank praised for brilliant Harry Kane analysis after England captain's performance in Denmark draw (an)

The Brentford boss was praised for his comments about England captain Harry Kane.

Fans have praised Thomas Frank for his brilliant analysis of Harry Kane’s performance during England’s draw with Denmark.

On Thursday England were held to a 1-1 draw by Denmark in their second group match of Euro 2024.

Despite the result keeping Gareth Southgate’s side top of Group C and on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage, fans and pundits alike were concerned by a lethargic and disjointed performance.

Advert

It was England’s all-time leading goalscorer Kane who scored the opening goal, but the Bayern Munich striker contributed very little after that and was withdrawn midway through the second half.

Getty)

After the match, BBC Sport pundits Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards were critical of Kane’s performance, highlighting his lack of pressing and the laboured way in which he dropped deep to receive the ball.

Lineker argued that the 30-year-old needs to improve his movement so that he doesn’t have to drop so deep from the front line, but Brentford manager Frank leapt to the defence of the former Tottenham captain.

Advert

“But isn’t that what he’s done the last four or five years? He just needs runners around him,” Frank countered.

“I think he’s doing what he’s [always] done and done very well, but he needs the runners.”

Richards suggested that Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon – who has been an unused substitute in both England matches so far – would provide more runs in behind the defence for Kane to find.

Frank responded: “Maybe yeah, or have [Phil] Foden going, or Jude [Bellingham] going.”

Advert

Former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was impressed with Frank’s analysis of Kane, posting on X: “Thomas Frank spot on about Harry Kane.”

England- Getty

Plenty of fans agreed.

“Idiots blaming Kane. He does well enough for Bayern when he’s got runners behind him everyone knows what his game is Kane comes deep then the wingers run behind him ain’t that hard,” one fan wrote on X.

Advert

Another commented: “Lineker, Richards and Rio slamming his performance…. Not a word ON Southgate and the fact he didn’t play any runners.”

A third viewer praised Frank, writing: “Thank goodness for Thomas Frank. Speaking sense r.e. Kane & offering genuine insight.

“[Alan] Shearer so right about needing pace around him. We’ve always needed runners around him. This isn’t a new thing but it is why effectively not having a left wing is such a problem.”

England will face Slovenia in their final group match on Tuesday.