World Cup 2026: Life after Harry Kane – Are England facing a false nine future?

England were lucky to have Wayne Rooney at the end of his international career.

Just as he was coming to an end, Kane burst into the international set-up in 2015 when he scored 80 seconds into his debut against Lithuania – as a substitute for the Manchester United striker.

It was a perfect baton, current record scorer to future record scorer.

England don’t seem to have the same luxury, but Kane’s career path is worth considering.

Unlike Rooney at Everton or Michael Owen at Liverpool, Kane didn’t burst onto the scene with his club as a teenager.

Kane had to learn the trade in loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City.

The 21-year-old joined Tottenham in the 2014-15 season under Mauricio Pochettino as manager. He seemed to come out of nowhere to score 21 goals in the Premier League and 32 in all competitions.

There are countless stories of academy strikers who never made it to the top level of senior football.

Take Charlie McNeill, who scored 110 goals and provided 38 assists in 72 games for Manchester City’s youth team.

He moved to Manchester United, becoming the club’s second player to score 20 goals in a season at academy level.

McNeill nevertheless made a first-team appearance for the club in September 2022 as a substitute in a Europa League match against Real Sociedad. Now aged 22, he plays for Sheffield Wednesday in League One.

Eddie Nketiah is the all-time record goalscorer for England Under-21s with 16 goals, yet has failed to shine since leaving Arsenal for Crystal Palace. He scored just five goals in the Premier League in two seasons.

There have been plenty of wide forwards or number 10s for England at youth level – Arsenal’s Max Daumann and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha to name two – but few number nines.

The system seems to be trying Produce more technical players than out and out strikers.