There were many questions and doubts over England at World Cup 2018 prior to the beginning of the competition. There were question marks over the goalkeeping position, the defence and also the experienced of some of the players.
However, one position in which nobody seemed to be concerned about was up front, as Tottenham star Harry Kane is a prolific scorer of goals and a true talisman for the team.
He once again proved his importance to the Three Lions as he bagged a brace on Monday night in a 2-1 win. Despite being manhandled on a number of occasions in the area, he brushed himself off and headed home the winner for England in stoppage-time. It was a case of cometh the hour cometh the man.
Kane is a natural both goalscorer
Kane will have been keen to prove a point at Russia 2018 after struggling at Euro 2016. The Tottenham forward has been a goal machine at club level for the last three seasons in the top-flight.
The 24-year-old has won the Premier League Golden Boot award in two of the last three seasons. Only an incredible feat of goalscoring from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah pick up a third consecutive award last season.
At international level, Kane has now scored 15 international goals in 25 appearances for the Three Lions. He has now scored ten times in his last eight appearances for the national side.
Leads by example
Harry Kane is the England captain. He is not a player who shouts at his teammates or barks orders out. However, the striker leads by example. His captaincy is because he is the most influential player in the England team.
If Kane plays well, then invariably England will thrive. One of the most impressive facets of Kane is his temperament. He never seems to be frustrated or loses his cool. Even when Tunisia players dragged him to the ground on a few occasions on Monday night, he appealed and just got on with the game.
Kane kept going and punished the North African side by scoring the winning goal. It is evident by interviews after the game how much his teammates think of Kane as a person and a player. Despite certain events last season that painted Kane as selfish, the striker is a team player and works for the team.
Vital for England at Russia 2018
England has a number of talented players in their squad. However, Harry Kane is arguably England’s only world-class player. Like any team that hopes to do well at a big tournament, England will be looking to their talismanic front man to inspire them to success.
England has started their campaign with a victory. However, if they want to stay in the competition in the latter stages, then they will need to get the best out of Kane. The opening performance showed Kane at his clinical best in front of goal.
I have a feeling that those goals will not be the last for Kane at Russia 2018, as he aims to win the Golden Boot and guide his team to an unexpected triumph at the World Cup.
How many goals will Harry Kane score at Russia 2018?
