Alan Shearer expresses his desire to witness Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins playing together in England’s forward line during the Euros. Over the past decade, Kane has been a consistent presence in the Three Lions squad, exhibiting his exceptional skills in the Bundesliga. He has served as England’s leading goalscorer, but Shearer believes he could now excel in a deeper role.
As Kane’s career has progressed, he has evolved into more of a playmaking No. 10, dropping back to facilitate link-up play rather than solely operating as a traditional striker. This potential positional adaptation could create an opportunity for Watkins, who has been enjoying a stellar season at Aston Villa.
Shearer asserts that Gareth Southgate should consider five players in midfield and attack as “guaranteed” selections. Declan Rice, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham have all solidified their positions with exceptional performances, while Bukayo Saka’s impressive displays at Arsenal make it nearly impossible to overlook him alongside Kane.
According to Alan Shearer, in an interview with The Athletic, he believes that five players in the front six of England’s team are guaranteed starters: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane. These players have been exceptional throughout the season and form one of the strongest front six combinations in world football. However, there remains one spot in the team that is still up for grabs.
Shearer proposes an alternative option, which he acknowledges may not be the approach Gareth Southgate will take. He suggests playing Ollie Watkins as the number nine, with Kane dropping back into the number 10 role. This would utilize Kane’s natural playmaking abilities, which have been pivotal for both England, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.
In this formation, Bellingham would occupy a deeper midfield position alongside Rice, while Foden and Saka would still contribute from wide positions. Shearer acknowledges that this would be a new combination, as Watkins and Kane have never played together for England. However, he highlights Watkins as the most improved player in the Premier League this season.
Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins have been backed to start together
Despite possessing one of the strongest squads in international football, England has been unable to secure a major trophy in recent years. Their journey included reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and progressing to the final of the Euros a few years later.
Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national team, has not committed to his future with the team beyond the upcoming tournament. He stated that his focus is solely on the summer competition and that his benchmark for success is winning the tournament for England. He emphasized that he will assess the situation after the tournament and is not currently considering anything beyond that goal.
