Harry Kane’s absence from England’s line-up against Germany on Friday night merely served to underline the importance of the Spurs striker to his nation’s football hopes.
Without Kane the England team were solid in defence and adventurous in midfield but lacked the class upfront that could easily have turned the scoreless draw into a badly-needed England victory. Kane’s rapid rise to the front ranks of the world’s best forwards has some of his fans arguing that the 24-year-old should already be ranked with the greats of the past. So who does the Spurs man have to outdo to be considered England’s greatest ever?
Alan Shearer
The finest player in the 125-year history of Newcastle United is clearly one of the top strikers to have worn an England shirt but if it weren’t for injuries he would probably be England’s highest-ever scorer by a long way.
Shearer was hugely important to his country’s performances at Euro ‘96 but bad luck cost him a lot of big international games so his 30 international goals were nowhere near the tally he might have reached.
With him replicating his best club form for his country he would have easily broken a number of goal records.
Gary Lineker
Not many England strikers have won Golden Boots in big competitions but Lineker did that at the World Cup in 1986.
A superb finisher who could pounce on any opportunity inside the box, Lineker was seen as a “fox in the box” and netted 48 England goals.
At the same time the ex-Barcelona striker’s overall play lacked a bit of quality. He did not always deliver what the team demanded in terms of overall team play and his contribution off the ball was often criticised.
Sir Bobby Charlton
It’s impossible to keep him off this list as he’s in all the record books for scoring for club and country.
Despite his 49 international goals, a World Cup winner’s medal and a record of great off-field devotion to his country, the Manchester United legend sits second to Wayne Rooney in the top scorers’ list for England.
Charlton is in the same league as Pele and Diego Maradona according to some England fans.
Jimmy Greaves
Recently ranked as Tottenham’s greatest ever player, Greaves scored a massive 220 goals in a nine-year stay at the club before to London rivals West Ham United.
He has a phenomenal goals ratio, scoring 44 times in just 57 appearances. We can only guess at what sort of tally he would have produced if he had played anywhere near as many games as the likes of Wayne Rooney (119) and Michael Owen (89).
Sir Geoff Hurst
The status of some players rests on the praise they receive from the best players in the world, and Hurst is one of them.
The only man to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, Hurst fired England to its unforgettable 1966 triumph. He was a leader who every club would love to have and his ratio of a goal every two games is not too bad, either.
Wayne Rooney
Rooney is England’s highest-ever scorer with 53 goals for the national side. The one thing people will always hold against him is his lack of goals in tournament football.
Regardless of that, his overall play and the amount he gave his country on the pitch, playing more games for England (119) than any other outfield player, are grand achievements.
He was always a superb contributor in terms of his work-rate, appetite for the game and general passion.
Michael Owen
Owen was truly a revolutionary striker after all the big, strong and tall forwards who had dominated the position.
The ex-Liverpool forward scored 40 international goals but could have outdone Rooney’s record of 53 if not for injuries.
During his prime Owen was pretty much unplayable but the real reason he is on this list is the way he changed the dynamic of the game.
Premier League and England strikers had a certain physique and style of play Owen came along to turn it all upside down with his pace, agility and vision.
Harry Kane
England’s captain at 24 and already one of the most consistent scorers in the Premier League, he is easily one of the most frightening forwards in the world and if anyone can lead England to a major tournament victory, it is Harry Kane. With 14 wins under his belt, including victories against Germany, France and Portugal and just four defeats while playing for the senior team, he just might make history by leading his country to a major tournament triumph.
Right now there are 36 players ahead of Kane on England’s all-time scoring list but if England’s managers can build the type of team that Spurs have constructed around him the national side will prosper and Kane could become England’s greatest ever striker.
by Nubaid Haroon
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi
The post Football: Is Harry Kane an England Great? appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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