Harry Kane’s kind for England has been an enormous speaking level of late, however will he nonetheless be main the road for his nation on the 2026 World Cup? And if not, who might change him?
There isn’t a query that Kane is without doubt one of the biggest strikers this nation has ever produced, with the 31-year-old the Three Lions’ main goalscorer in historical past.
Not solely that, however he’s second within the Premier League all-time scoring charts behind Alan Shearer, and had he not moved to Bayern Munich in the summertime of 2023, he would have had each probability of overtaking the previous Newcastle striker.
For all Kane’s brilliance, although, he has discovered himself beneath the highlight on England obligation of late, not least throughout Euro 2024, when his performances have been horribly beneath par – prompting criticism from the likes of Shearer and Gary Lineker.
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Whether or not he was merely unfit is up for debate, however Ollie Watkins grew to become a greater choice because the event went on, and it was telling that Kane was substituted by Gareth Southgate at necessary instances, together with within the closing towards Spain.
Now 31, some really feel that the Bayern star’s legs are starting to go, together with his desire for dropping deep and never working in behind hurting different gamers, and there need to be query marks about his place in Thomas Tuchel’s beginning XI by the point of the following World Cup in america, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Kane stays prone to be a part of the squad as issues stand, but when not, who’re the main contenders to exchange him? Listed here are six that we have chosen…
1
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins is the clear frontrunner to exchange Kane at current, with the Aston Villa hero now proving himself as a world striker who can ship on the massive stage.
The 28-year-old’s beautiful late winner towards the Netherlands within the semi-finals of Euro 2024 summed up his high quality, and he’s a participant who might be coming proper into his prime.
Watkins now has 5 objectives in 18 caps for England, and whereas that might not be an earth-shattering return, he ought to rating extra usually if he’s given extra alternatives from the begins of video games. He additionally has extra legs than Kane lately, to not point out that skill to run in behind.
It’s value noting that Watkins himself might be 30 by the point the World Cup begins, so he cannot be seen because the long-term answer main the road for the Three Lions.
2
Dominic Solanke
Tottenham Hotspur
For some time, there have been doubts over whether or not Dominic Solanke would attain his potential, having did not make himself an necessary a part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans at Liverpool.
Nonetheless, the 27-year-old has completed impressively within the years since leaving Anfield in 2019, having fun with 5 sensible years at Bournemouth, scoring 77 objectives in 216 appearances for the Cherries.
His kind there earned him a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in the summertime, and he has continued to steer the road in formidable style, netting six instances in all competitions this season heading into the winter interval. He must be thought of top-of-the-line decisions to succeed Kane.
Solanke continues to be awaiting his first England objective, and simply three caps exhibits that his worldwide profession hasn’t received going but, however he must be concerned much more within the subsequent 18 months or so, having earned his first call-up for seven years in latest months.
3
Ivan Toney
Al-Ahli
This time final yr, Ivan Toney would have been alongside Watkins as a standout option to succeed Kane, however his transfer from Brentford to the Saudi Professional League has arguably seen him fall down the pecking order.
Tuchel might discover it onerous to justify bringing the Englishman into his squad, contemplating he’s enjoying at a far decrease stage of high quality to the Premier League. However it must be remembered that he additionally did properly on the Euros when referred to as upon like Watkins – and his penalty-taking skill is second to none, as confirmed within the quarter-final win over Switzerland.
Subsequently, Toney cannot be dominated out as a contender to start out instead of Kane.
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4
Liam Delap
Ipswich City
Ipswich City could also be struggling amid their return to the Premier League this season, however Liam Delap has been one of many clear standout gamers for Kieran McKenna’s facet.
Having left Manchester Metropolis completely for Portman Street in the summertime switch window, the 21-year-old has excelled, scoring six league objectives in simply 10 begins, which is very spectacular for a facet close to the underside of the desk.
Delap must be seen as top-of-the-line long-term attacking choices for England, and by the point the World Cup rolls round, he might be a extra skilled determine who’s hopefully nonetheless banging within the objectives and gaining Tuchel’s consideration within the course of.
The previous Metropolis teenager has been capped by the Three Lions at seven totally different age teams, so it might not be lengthy earlier than Tuchel calls him into the senior setup if his progress continues.
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5
Cole Palmer
Chelsea
On the face of it, it is mindless to be speaking about Cole Palmer as a doable Kane substitute, however it stays to be seen how Tuchel will arrange his England facet when he takes cost subsequent yr.
Among the criticism aimed toward Kane has been his skill to blunt these round him, from Phil Foden to Jude Bellingham, and the brand new supervisor might really feel {that a} extra fluid attacking unit is required.
In Palmer, England have a prodigiously gifted expertise who has arguably been the Premier League’s finest participant to date this season, and he has the intelligence and flexibility to thrive as a roaming false 9.
The Chelsea star can drop deep and run in behind, and the thought of him dovetailing with the likes of Foden, Bellingham and Bukayo Saka is a mouthwatering thought for Three Lions supporters.
It nonetheless feels extra doubtless that Tuchel will need a correct striker in his staff, however do not rule this out.
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6
Tammy Abraham
Milan
When an English participant strikes to a international nation, it may be straightforward to overlook about them as a result of they are not within the limelight as a lot.
That has arguably occurred with Tammy Abraham, who hasn’t performed in England since departing Chelsea for Roma again in the summertime of 2021.
Nonetheless solely 27, Milan loanee Abraham should not be dominated out as an choice to come back in for Kane, together with his tempo, motion and physicality making him a tricky proposition for defenders.
There are doubtless higher decisions on the market, however a season in Serie A that makes individuals sit up and take discover again house might change all that.