'The beginning of the end' - Harry Kane's England future called into question by Man Utd icon
England opted to play without Harry Kane leading the line in the recent win over Greece and Paul Scholes claims we are witnessing the end of the striker's time with the Three Lions
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorPaul Scholes claimed we could be seeing "the beginning of the end" of Harry Kane after his shock England snub.
The Three Lions skipper, who has led the line for almost a decade, was left out for the win over Greece in the recent international break. Lee Carsley opted to use Ollie Watkins from the start with Kane having to watch on from a rare spot on the bench.
Kane is the country's all-time leading scorer but has seen his England performances dip in recent times. He was part of a misfiring attack at the Euros and, with Watkins waiting in the wings, there is some appetite to see the nation line-up differently.
The striker remains hugely prolific at club level as he seeks to end his trophy drought with Bayern Munich this term. England though have a blossoming young side yet to fulfil their potential and Scholes claimed Kane now looks somewhat out of place.
He said on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Scholes said: "It felt like the end of Harry Kane (during the international break) – the beginning of the end. He looked out of place in the team. When you get older you feel like everything happens a bit quicker around you and it looked a bit like that. But I don't know how we'd replace him."
Roy Keane offered a counter-argument when he said: "He's only 31! We're talking about him like he's 35 or 36". Scholes though replied: 'He just looks that way though, doesn't he?'. Neville responded: 'Alan Shearer, near the end, was a bit like that as well, wasn't he?"
In 2024 Kane has scored seven times in 14 outings for his country and was able to find the net when he returned to the starting XI for the thumping win over the Republic of Ireland earlier this week.
England's preparation for the World Cup in a little under two years has already begun as they enter the Thomas Tuchel era. The German worked with Kane last term and is likely to favour the Bayern man, who excelled under his coaching, and the former Tottenham man insists he's playing as good as he ever has.
"I don't think (it will be my last chance)," he told Sky Sports. "There's sometimes a perception when you get into your thirties that you're coming to an end. But for me personally I'm performing at the highest level I've ever performed and feel as good as I've ever felt so it's about taking in the moment."
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