Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane burnout ahead of possible England U21 call-up

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 18 May 2015

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino fears that Harry Kane could miss the start of next season if he plays at the European Under-21 Championships this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino fears that Harry Kane could miss the start of next season if he plays at this summer's European Under-21 Championships.

The striker, who has scored 30 goals in all competitions for Spurs and made his England debut this season, is expected to be named in Gareth Southgate's provisional squad for the Czech Republic trip on Wednesday.

That would leave Kane only 18 days to recover from Tottenham's post-season tour of Malaysia and Australia, and 39 days from the final of the tournament and the beginning of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign on August 8.

While conceding that the decision on whether he goes to the Euros or not lies with the player and the Football Association, Pochettino has suggested that a rest may be better for Kane's long-term prospects.

"Could he miss the start of the season? Maybe," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "But it is because of that I am sure the FA will take the right the decision for Harry Kane and for England. I am happy if Harry is happy. In the end, it is a decision for the FA. We need to wait for the FA's decision.

"If Harry asks me, I will say it is his decision. If you have the possibility to play in the Under-21s, it is always the player's decision. We can advise him but it is up to the FA and the player. The problem is there are different interests. We are a club in England and we need to be careful.

"The manager's decision in this case is to build the team and decide and pick different players. His decision and our interests are maybe different to the FA's. But we understand the decision will always be with the FA. The problem is when you play a lot of games in the Premier League and Europa League, you spend a lot of energy and it is not easy. He is not tired, it is about next season. We can see him in the future because for us he is a future number one in the senior England squad."

The PFA Young Player of the Year has made 56 appearances for club and country this campaign.