HARRY KANE HAS has been named England captain for the crucial World Cup qualifier at home to Slovenia on Thursday.
England can secure their place in next year’s tournament in Russia with a win and will be skippered by the in-form Tottenham star for the game, although manager Gareth Southgate is yet to decide on a permanent captain.
Kane was skipper for England’s double-header against Scotland and France in June, before handing over the armband to Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson for last month’s games with Malta and Slovakia.
Gary Cahill is also thought to be a candidate for the role vacated by retired Wayne Rooney, but Kane appears to be at the front of the queue.
“His leadership qualities are invaluable to us as a team and he is in a good moment with his form,” Southgate said at his pre-match media conference.
“I have known him for a long time. He has matured and is improving all the time.”
Asked about a permanent captain, Southgate said: “I haven’t decided yet. We saw potential leaders in the group at the start.
“But [they were] lads who hadn’t had experience of leading and how do we allow for that to happen, and how do we give them a feel of it, and I think that’s worked well over the last few months.
“All of those experiences will stand them in good stead. Different situations, different opportunities to be in front of people, sharing a responsibility of team. I think that’s key.
“What’s important is that the lads who have led the team think about integrating the squad, the moments to step forward, the moments to have a quiet word with people.
“You are talking about leadership experience that comes over time.”
Kane himself also spoke at the media conference, adding: “It makes me very proud, growing up as a kid you dream of playing of your country and being captain as well.
“There are plenty of leaders in this team and other guys are going to have a go to see how it feels.
“I don’t think having an armband on your arm makes a difference to how you play. I will go out there to try and win and score goals.
“There are plenty of players on the pitch who will help each other out when the going gets tough as well.”
Spurs star Kane scored 13 goals for club and country in September, a return that matched the most prolific calendar months enjoyed by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their illustrious careers.
Other than Kane’s suspended Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli, all members of Gareth Southgate’s squad are available to face Slovenia.
Great year for Galway
Another boring English centre forward like Shearer, Uninspiring choice for England.
@Ciarán: and if he stays at spurs he’ll have zero premier leagues like shearer too
@Acedeuce: Hahaha i see your clueless comments cover every topic. Shearer has 0 PL’s to his name does he? stick to the soaps mate.
@Acedeuce: shearer won a prem league @ Blackburn in 1995
@michael murray: I meant with Newcastle.. The club he stayed at for the rest of his career
@Brian: boxings dead
@Acedeuce: hahaha the little kiddo has been rattled and found out by his lack of knowledge. how can you not know the premoer league’s record goalscorer won a title? my god man.
@Brian: he didn’t win one with Newcastle.. That’s my point
@Acedeuce: yeah yeah we all believe you. “zero premier leagues” isn’t it?
@Acedeuce: Stop digging man!
@Ciarán: Idiotic statement of the year. Harry Kane is world class. Reminiscent of Shearer alright, given the fact he is an old fashioned number 9. He would make a great skipper. Leads by example has an excellent temperament. Makes total sense.
@Acedeuce: haha Acedouche is back and his complete lack of football knowledge has been exposed yet again (what would you expect when he only started following the goons back when they were able experiencing their long forgotten glory years under wenger like most if their plastic fans over here) the worrying thing is as I type this 30 likewise morons liked his comment
lads this clown is obsessed with old Harry Kane has claimed time and time again he doesn’t care about spurs but comments on any article involving Kane it’s almost like he jealous or scared he has more chance of winking a league title at Spurs than Arsenal at the moment to be honest..
Wouldn’t it have been great if he’d declared for Ireland?! Him and Martin Keown and Wayne Rooney. Well…him and Wayne anyway :)