Fansided

10 players with the most to prove

By Harvey Cruz

20180327 - Brussels, Belgium / International Friendly Game : Belgium v Saudi Arabia / "nEden HAZARD"nPicture by Vincent Van Doornick / Isosport
20180327 - Brussels, Belgium / International Friendly Game : Belgium v Saudi Arabia / "nEden HAZARD"nPicture by Vincent Van Doornick / Isosport /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 10: Harry Kane of England in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Scotland and England at Hampden Park National Stadium on June 10, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 10: Harry Kane of England in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Scotland and England at Hampden Park National Stadium on June 10, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

7. Harry Kane

Harry Kane will captain his country in his first World Cup. The Tottenham man’s breakout season came the year after Brazil 2014, and he’ll be eager to make the most of his first opportunity on the world stage. England have some quality attacking options but lack creativity in midfield, meaning Kane will have to make the most of his opportunities.

The good news for England is he’s one of the most complete strikers in the world. He can score with either foot, is strong in the air and capable of dropping deep to connect with his midfielders. Alongside Raheem Sterling and Dele Alli, Kane will spearhead one of the more intriguing front lines at the tournament. If Gareth Southgate gets his tactics right, England could go far.

The group draw wasn’t particularly kind, but even if England finish second behind Belgium (Tunisia and Panama round out the group), they’ll face a winnable round of 16 match against the winners of Group H (Colombia, Poland, Senegal, Japan). That means a run to the quarterfinals is well within reach.

A talented young player on a talented young team. What’s to prove? This is England, which means embarrassment is only ever one bad tournament away. Being talented has never been a guarantee of success for the Three Lions, and while less is expected of this team than some in the past, expectations are high once the tournament kicks off. However he plays, Kane will be in the spot light.