In salute of Kane the centurion. And in search of his long-term successor at No 9.
In salute of Kane the centurion. And in search of his long-term successor at No 9.
Harry Kane reaching a century of caps is a remarkable achievement, one not only worth saluting at Wembley in style tonight with a golden cap, but also a time for reflection. One of the reasons Kane’s so special is the relative rarity of English centre-forwards. Where have all the No 9s gone? “The role’s changed,” Lee Carsley argues.
A move to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 has reduced demand as has a focus on pace over power. Young players eschewing a physical buffeting is also a factor. Many readily admit to preferring to be a “baller” rather than a battering ram. Pep Guardiola’s success with a false 9 added further legitimacy to the trend, but he then went and inserted Erling Haaland in City’s attack to stunning effect.
Some options do present themselves. I watched Liam Delap, fairly tall, quick, strong and mobile, for the Under-21s at Kenilworth Road last night, and he worked hard leading England’s line in their 4-2-3-1 system echoing the seniors. Delap, the son of Rory, complained against an early booking for diving in the area when lightly brushed by an Austrian defender. The decision could easily have gone his way.
Raised at Manchester City, Delap now plays for Ipswich Town and his progress will be followed closely by England coaching staff, especially as he develops under Kieran McKenna. England’s technical director, John McDermott, left the seniors working out at Hotspur Way to watch Delap and others in their 4-1 friendly win over Austria.
More established No 9s in the traditional style are Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson. Calvert-Lewin was always earmarked by the FA as a potential line-leader for England but injuries have held him back. He’s not played for England for three years but a goal return of four goals in 11 internationals showed his potential. Ivan Toney has taken himself out of the England equation by going to Saudi. Tammy Abraham, currently on loan at AC Milan from Roma, is a slightly different type of centre-forward, more a run-through striker although he can hold the ball up; he’s only 26.
Dominic Solanke’s form (and fitness) will be followed closely at Tottenham Hotspur. He earned the move after developing his all-round game under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. Ollie Watkins, who has withdrawn from Lee Carsley’s senior squad, is again a different type to Kane, and played wide earlier in his career. Mason Greenwood is, rightly, permanently off the England radar.
It's still a contrast to the proliferation of heavyweight candidates at No 10 (Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish and Morgan Gibbs-White) or out wide (Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Bowen, and not forgetting Marcus Rashford, who prefers wide to centre-forward). Saka, Grealish and Gordon support Kane against Finland at Wembley this evening.