“He has looked like he is towing a caravan around the pitch” - Graeme Souness tell Southgate to drop England star for Euro 2024 final

Former Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness has urged England boss Gareth Southgate to drop captain Harry Kane from the starting line-up for the Euro 2024 final with Spain in Berlin on Sunday (July 14).

The Bayern Munich hitman has struck three times in six games and is one of six joint top scorers at the tournament but has looked far from his fluent best, with two of his goals coming from the spot.

While Southgate is unlikely to drop his captain for the biggest game of the tournament, Souness told the Daily Mail (via Metro) that he would be better off starting with Ollie Watkins instead of Kane:

"Gareth Southgate faces the biggest football decision of his life on Saturday: whether to drop Harry Kane. If he gets it right, it is a decision that will make Gareth a national hero and, on current evidence, I’d say you have to leave Harry out.

"I’ve been one of Harry’s greatest supporters. He is a fantastic goalscorer, who has shown terrific ability at Tottenham, Bayern Munich and for England, but this tournament, he has looked like he is towing a caravan around the football pitch.

Watkins came off the bench in the 80th minute of the 2-1 Euro 2024 semi-final win over the Netherlands and struck the winner 10 minutes later to take the Three Lions to the final. Souness added:

"The introduction of Ollie Watkins against the Netherlands enlivened the team. Park the fact he scored a wonderful goal, his contribution changed England as an attacking threat.

"Gareth has been fiercely loyal to Harry, often with good reason as he has been a matchwinner on many occasions, and as I’ve said before I wouldn’t like to begin to second guess what England’s manager does next, but he has to seriously consider this change."

The Three Lions are looking to win their maiden European Championship at Euro 2024 and their first major title in 58 years.

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"I want my players to be the best version of themselves" - England boss ahead of Euro 2024 final with Spain

England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024 final

England boss Gareth Southgate wants his team to be fearless and unawed by the occasion as they take on an excellent Spain side in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday.

La Roja have won all six games - becoming the first team to do so at a single Euros campaign. However, Southgate wants his players to give their best and earn the respect of the footballing world (as per BBC).

"I don't have any fear about what might happen (against Spain) because I've been through everything. I want the players to feel that fearlessness. I want them to be able to be the best version of themselves because, whatever happens, we're so strong as a group."

Southgate added:

"I am not a believer in fairytales, but I am a believer in dreams. We have had big dreams and felt the importance of that, but you have to make those things happen.

"The run we’ve had, the late goals and penalties, doesn’t equate to it being our moment. We have to make it tomorrow and perform. It would be a lovely story and it's in our hands but the performance is the most important thing."

While England are looking to become the 11th different team to win the Euros, Spain are striving to become the first to win four titles, breaking a tie they share with Germany.