When the World Cup kicks off in Mexico City in 19 months, we might look back at the 3-0 victory in Athens as the moment when the certainty of Harry Kane leading England ended. Lee Carsley’s decision to question Kane’s starting position has raised doubts about the previously unshakeable guarantee that Kane plays when fit, especially in must-win competitive fixtures.
While Carsley won’t be making these decisions in the future, it will be up to Thomas Tuchel, who has a high regard for Kane and persuaded him to join Bayern Munich. However, managing Kane’s minutes will be a key issue for Tuchel as the striker will be approaching his 33rd birthday by the time the World Cup arrives.
England has been overly dependent on Kane for too long, and it seems like they are starting to move away from that reliance. Every England manager faces a big decision during their tenure, and for Tuchel, it could be finding a way to keep Kane happy without overplaying him or even playing without him at all.
One argument against Kane’s starting position is his lack of pressing ability, which is crucial for successful teams. Ollie Watkins, who presses well and showed promise in the Athens match, could be a potential understudy for Kane and deserves a chance to prove himself.
In the absence of key players like Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish, Carsley opted for pace with Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon supporting Watkins. While Watkins scored a goal early in the match, he still has room for improvement compared to Kane, who came on later in the game and made an impact.
Carsley’s decision to start Watkins over Kane may have been bold, but it paid off with an early goal. However, it was clear that England performed better once Kane was on the pitch. This raises the question of whether Kane will remain a starter in future matches or if he will have to adapt to a different role.
Ultimately, the debate over Kane’s starting position will be left to Tuchel to decide. Carsley’s bold move has sparked discussions about England’s attack strategy and the role of key players like Kane. As the team prepares for future competitions, finding the right balance between utilizing Kane’s talent and developing alternative strategies will be crucial for England’s success on the international stage.
