England need a strong supporting cast alongside their captain and there is no better candidate for sidekick than the Arsenal man
After another prolific season with Bayern Munich, a World Cup win for Harry Kane would make him one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or. But that is nothing compared to what he would become back home in England. A cult hero, a national legend, an English footballing mascot. But premium-Kane cannot become a reality through his efforts alone. He needs a reliable sidekick, a Robin to his Batman.
There is something fascinating about watching England struggle through tournaments. Do they possess a squad littered with talent? Do they indeed? England’s players are famous, for sure, courtesy of the Premier League, but fame does not quite equate ability, even if the two can appear very similar.
England’s players are some of the most famous players in the world. But that does not necessarily mean that England’s players are some of the best players in the world. Out of their 26-man squad for this tournament, only six play outside England. If the rest of the 20 were playing elsewhere other than the Premier League, how many of them would the world be familiar with?
Of course, there is also an argument to be had that the Premier League clubs are among the best out there. In last season’s European club competitions, English teams won the Conference League and Europa League trophies and took the Champions League final to penalties.
This is a question that will need to be resolved in the Americas. Top players perform at the top stage. England have a winner now as head coach. There is very little excuse. At the epicentre of everything they do will be Kane, but England will never win unless a supporting cast shows up.
There is very little to be expected from the left wing. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon have never given anyone a reason to believe they can win you tournaments. Perhaps Morgan Rogers can be impactful. But on the right is Bukayo Saka, who is really, at his best, one of the most talented wingers in the world. And if the Arsenal man can deliver to the level of his ability this summer, England can become world champions.
He is not fully fit though, still managing an Achilles problem that limited his gametime for Arsenal last season. Tuchel has admitted the winger is not yet at full capacity and will need careful handling.
“Bukayo is just not there yet,” Tuchel said. “Some things are missing … consecutive trainings. They took very good care of him [at Arsenal] and were very aware of it and we will do a little bit the same. He is at the moment not able to do every training session through the week and then play. He is still going to be managed.
“Arsenal brought him back [at the end of April] and he was straight away decisive. And then they decided together – Bukayo and Arsenal – to let him play through his pain and discomfort, even if it was not possible to train the whole week in the buildups. I think it is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes all the matches from now on.”
Saka has not always delivered for England and has in fact been on and off in form for both club and country over the past two years. That is true. But his return to fitness for Arsenal near the end of the season helped deliver the Premier League. If fit and firing this summer, he can help Kane deliver the World Cup.
