Harry Kane is undoubtedly the jewel in the England national team’s crown, but unfortunately, his brilliance may be as much a cause of frustration as it is celebration for Gareth Southgate.
Indeed, Kane is certainly England’s best option in the number nine spot, but the fact that he is seemingly undroppable spells trouble for a number of young strikers coming through in this country.
Indeed, England are blessed with a number of talented young strikers at the moment, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Mason Greenwood and Tammy Abraham starring in the Premier League, but Kane’s status as England’s main man has seen Gareth Southgate struggle to integrate these future stars.
Fortunately, it seems as though there could be a solution on the horizon.
Indeed, Micah Richards suggested a few weeks ago that Kane could play as a midfielder, and while that may not be the future for him at club level, on the international stage, this could work very well.
Kane has shown this season that he isn’t only England’s best attacker, he’s also the best creator in the Premier League at the moment, topping the Premier League’s assist chart by quite some way.
Playing Kane in deeper role is a way to get Kane and Calvert-Lewin on the pitch at the same time, and any national team manager would be a bit of a fool to not at least try to link-up the Premier League’s top-scorer and top assister.
Now, we’re not saying that this should be a permanent switch, or even something that should be used in the Euros next summer, but we can’t help but feel that it’s at least worth trying, especially after way both Kane and Calvert-Lewin have started this season.
Kane has been dropping deeper for Tottenham this season, and we know he has the passing range to be more of a playmaker, so this could be worth trying on occasion for England as it would allow the Three Lions to add more pace in their attack.
This may also be something Southgate looks at in years to come if Kane’s mobility declines as he ages, with Wayne Rooney showing in the past that a technical striker can successfully be converted into a midfielder, especially on the international stage.
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