Thomas Tuchel says England will not find “another Harry Kane” as his free-scoring captain continues to break new ground. Kane scored a record-extending goal for the Three Lions against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, and he is now just two appearances away from equalling Peter Shilton’s mark of 125 international caps.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich forward is in the form of his life, with his 73 goals for club and country last term putting him well into the conversation as a possible Ballon d’Or winner. But Tuchel knows the clock is running. “You will not get another Harry Kane, first of all,” he said. “He is the first one to push everyone and that is his mindset and he became a very, very hardworking forward on top of his finishing skills. He is a complete package.”
Kane’s Numbers Keep Climbing
Kane’s 87th goal for England broke his own record. The milestone is a reminder of how far Kane has pushed himself since joining the national team.
His 73 goals across club and country last season were enough to put him in the Ballon d’Or conversation. That kind of scoring rate is rare, and Tuchel praised the work behind it. “He is a complete package,” Tuchel said, noting Kane’s mindset and his work ethic alongside his finishing ability.
The Search for a Replacement
Tuchel admits there is no obvious successor. “There will be someone else, but it will not be Harry or a copy of Harry,” he said. “We will find a solution when it comes to it but maybe not me. It might be another 10 years.”
The problem is not new. Kane has been England’s main man for years, and finding a back-up who can fill his shoes has been a long-standing issue. Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney utilised that role at the past two major tournaments, but both are also in their thirties and were overlooked for the current batch of Nations League fixtures.
The Short List of Options
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in the squad, but he is also approaching his 30th birthday. Liam Delap is currently the only English centre forward under the age of 27 to have scored a Champions League goal. The depth is thin.
The options are limited. The source lists the following details:
- Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney were overlooked for the current Nations League fixtures
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin is approaching his 30th birthday
- Liam Delap is the only English centre forward under 27 to have scored a Champions League goal
Bellingham Steps Up
In Prague, Tuchel found a temporary answer. He deployed Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in a more advanced role than his normal midfield position after bringing him on for Kane.
“I like him as a nine,” Tuchel added. “Then he can contribute to both sides and overload the sides and doesn’t affect so much of the balance.”
A New Role for Bellingham
Tuchel described the change as a “bit of a new role.” The system shifted to a 4-2-3-1 shape rather than a 4-3-3, with Kane and Bellingham brought closer together to give them a chance to overload both sides.
“He is a natural goalscorer and he has the hunger to be on the scoreboard,” Tuchel said. “He wants to be there and have the decisive action, so it makes not a huge difference if he plays as a nine or a 10.”
Kane’s Pace Is Slowing
Kane cannot go on forever. His age is starting to show, and even the best forwards have limits. Tuchel acknowledged as much when he spoke about finding a replacement.
The Long Road Ahead
Tuchel is realistic about his own timeline. He may not be the one to solve the problem, and he thinks it could take another decade. “It might be another 10 years,” he said.
The key facts are simple:
- Kane scored his 87th goal for England against the Czech Republic
- He needs two more appearances to equal Peter Shilton’s 125 caps
- He scored 73 goals for club and country last season
- He is 33 years old and still playing for Bayern Munich
The search for a replacement is a concern, but it is not a crisis. For now, England has Kane. That is enough. The record-breaking goal against the Czech Republic showed that. The search for the next one continues, and it will continue for a while yet.
Source material: “Impossible for England to find another Kane – Tuchel,” the BBC.
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