Antonio Conte has admitted that Harry Kane is struggling with fatigue ahead of the World Cup.
Kane hasn’t been given a break by his manager this season, starting 21 matches in a row and playing 1,847 minutes in total.
It surprised many when Conte started the England captain in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup loss at Nottingham Forest, and speaking after the match, the Italian admitted that the 29-year-old is struggling with fatigue and is tired.
“It was a problem of tiredness. It’s only fatigue but it’s normal because Harry played every game,” Conte said.
“Yesterday we had a soft training session and at one point he stopped himself to recover energy.”
With the World Cup just over a week away, it would be reasonable to assume that Kane would have rather not played in the match against Nottingham Forest.
However, Conte says the striker never made such a request and praised him for that.
“Other players maybe they could tell me, ‘I’m tired and don’t want to play and help the team’,” he added.
“Another could be selfish and think for himself because in one week they have to play the World Cup. Instead, Harry Kane showed to be a really good man.
“But I repeat, it’s normal, what’s happening in this period.”
Kane is set to play a key role for England in Qatar and will become their all-time top scorer, surpassing Wayne Rooney, with just two goals.
