Harry Kane insists he can thrive in the same England team as Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham — and believes the all-star attacking trio still have time to prove it at this summer’s Euros.
The Three Lions go into Tuesday’s meeting against Slovenia sitting top of Group C on four points, but under pressure to deliver an improved performance following drab shows in both the 1-1 draw with Denmark and opening 1-0 win over Serbia.
One of Gareth Southgate’s biggest dilemmas is what to do with his forward line, having seen three standout performers so far fail to click.
Last season, Foden and Bellingham won the Footballer of the Year awards in England and Spain, respectively, but did so while playing primarily in the same No10 role, while Kane’s ability to drop into a similar position from centre-forward has long been one of his most unique qualities.
As a result, what ought to be a luxury for Southgate is turning into a major headache as he considers the possibility of having to drop one of his most high-profile players to bring balance to England’s attack. Kane, however, says it need not come to that yet.
“It’s something we will work on and see if we can improve, but I don’t think there’s an issue with us three playing with each other,” said Kane, who scored 44 times in 45 matches for Bayern Munich last term.
“The seasons we all had speak for themselves and there’s no reason why we can’t start ramping it up on the pitch and getting to a level we know we can.”
Southgate has opted to use Bellingham in a central attacking midfield role, meaning Foden has been forced out of his preferred position and onto the left-wing.
Kane, meanwhile, was peripheral against Serbia when playing as an out-and-out No9 and then — despite scoring his 64th international goal against Denmark — heavily criticised by former England strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer over another quiet display.
Southgate’s hopes of getting his trio to gel have not been helped by availability. Bellingham sat out warm-up matches against Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, while Kane missed the March internationals through injury. He says their relationship is a work in progress.
“When we play more with each other it will get better and we will have more understanding,” he added. “Maybe a bit more discipline in our positional play.
“We all want to get on the ball and make a difference, but we also need to be a threat going forward, which we haven’t been compared to our usual selves.”
A victory on Tuesday will ensure England top Group C and head into what looks like being the more favourable half of the draw. Germany, Spain and Portugal have already qualified top of their pools and cannot meet the winner of England’s group until the final.
The nightmare scenario for England could well be finishing second, which would set up a clash against hosts Germany in Dortmund on Saturday.
“We want to win the group,” Kane added. “I don’t think it’s just to avoid anyone, it’s more the momentum it gives us going into the knockout stages.”
Luke Shaw trained with the rest of the squad, raising the prospect of the left-back playing a role at the tournament.
Shaw has been sidelined since February with a hamstring injury and has largely been working individually in Germany. But the defender joined the main session as England trained at their Blankenheim base before travelling to Cologne.
Kieran Trippier, who has played at left-back while Shaw recovers, also trained amid reports he had been carrying a calf injury. Ezri Konsa or Joe Gomez will be in line to replace Trippier if Southgate rotates him.
