Gareth Southgate told reporters that England captain Harry Kane is ‘the best goalscorer in the world’ after the Spurs striker netted a dramatic late winner against Croatia on Sunday.
England qualified for the semi-finals of the inaugural Uefa Nations League after coming from behind to beat the side that knocked them out of the World Cup last summer.
Andrej Kramaric gave Croatia a second-half lead, meaning that Southgate’s side needed two goals to avoid relegation and secure a spot in next June’s semi-finals.
Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard equalised before Kane poked home from a Ben Chilwell free-kick to ensure that England topped their group, with Croatia relegated to the lower tier of the competition.
When asked whether it’s difficult to substitute a prolific goalscorer like Kane, Southgate told reporters:
“Harry is the best goalscorer in the world, frankly.
“You’re always loathed to take a player off of his ability. I know people have questioned some of those decisions over the summer (in not substituting him), but he’s our main penalty taker, our leader.
“In 98 percent of the games, his hold up play and goalscoring is critical. We have huge belief in him. He is so hungry to lead the team on and further.”
Where does Kane rank amongst worlds best?
Kane’s winner against Croatia was his 20th goal in 35 appearances for England, having made his senior international debut in March 2015.
He still has some way to go if he is to match the efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo at international level, with the Portugal striker becoming the top scoring active international footballer in June with 85 goals in 152 appearances, a national team record.
Lionel Messi, who is largely considered to have been the best player in world football over the last decade, has struggled more at international level but has still managed 65 goals in 128 appearances so far.
If Kane can keep up his current goals to game ratio for England then he will, without doubt, become one of their greatest ever goalscorers.
He certainly looks well set to achieve that feat, thriving as captain of an exciting young English team under the management of Southgate.
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