In an intriguing twist during a chilly evening in Athens, Harry Kane, the prolific forward for the England national team, found himself on the sidelines as his teammates faced Greece in a crucial encounter. England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, opted to start Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in preference to Kane, affirming that the Bayern Munich star was "absolutely fine" with the decision, as reported by 90min. While this tactical choice ultimately paid dividends, culminating in a 3-0 victory for England, Kane likely experienced a complex array of feelings as he watched Watkins score the opening goal.
Despite Greece's well-deserved reputation for resilience and their competitive history with England, the depth of talent within the English squad shone through, even in the absence of their principal scorer. Watkins, who has now scored five goals in just 18 international appearances, demonstrated a refined finishing ability akin to Kane's, netting a well-placed goal following a cut-back from Noni Madueke. Historically, Watkins has maintained an impressive scoring rate, averaging a goal every 121.2 minutes for England, which stands in contrast to Kane's remarkable tally of one goal every 115.9 minutes, attributed to his impressive 68 goals in 102 caps.
Kane's sharpness in front of goal has been pivotal throughout his career, especially during his record-breaking tenure in the Premier League, where he aimed to surpass Alan Shearer's all-time scoring record prior to his move to Bayern Munich. By contrast, Watkins' best seasonal tally remains at 19 goals—a mark Kane has achieved on multiple occasions. Furthermore, Kane's striking accuracy and performance relative to expected goals consistently place him among football’s elite forwards. Over the past eight league seasons, he has only fallen short of his expected goals total once, whereas Watkins has underperformed against these expectations in four out of his seven seasons, underscoring Kane's superior consistency in goal-scoring.
Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Watkins has evolved into a capable playmaker, notably recording 13 assists in the current 2023/24 campaign, his highest to date. Kane’s best season saw him provide 14 assists, reflecting his growth into a versatile player able to facilitate play alongside top talents such as Son Heung-min. As age inevitably begins to influence roles—Kane is set to approach 33 by the time of the 2026 World Cup—the tactical landscape for both players could shift significantly.
While Kane has navigated recent seasons with little injury trouble—contrasting sharply with his struggles during Mauricio Pochettino's time at Tottenham—concerns about fatigue and the cumulative toll of his workload are increasingly pertinent as the World Cup draws nearer. Gareth Southgate’s recent strategy, opting to substitute Kane in favour of Watkins during Euro 2024, suggests a tactical evolution is underway within the squad.
With Watkins being three years Kane's junior, both strikers will need to manage their respective workloads as they approach the World Cup. Although Kane’s finishing touch continues to be an invaluable asset, questions loom over his long-term role as England's principal forward. The tactical fit will be crucial; Kane’s inclination to drop deeper at times has occasionally left gaps in midfield, thereby limiting the contributions of attacking talents like Jude Bellingham.
Looking ahead, the impending arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager in 2025 introduces an additional layer of intrigue. Tuchel is well-acquainted with Kane and is likely to appreciate the tactical nuances that Watkins brings, particularly concerning versatility and spatial dynamics on the pitch. This new managerial perspective might favour a balanced attacking approach, integrating both forwards while enhancing the capabilities of England's creative players.
As England prepares for the World Cup set to commence on June 11, 2026, uncertainty looms over the future of their striking lineup. While Kane's clinical finishing positions him as a formidable candidate, Watkins' rise to prominence signals a possible tactical shift that could open new avenues for both players within the national team framework. The pressing question remains: will Kane's wealth of experience prove decisive, or will Watkins' burgeoning influence emerge as the defining factor as they embark on their quest for World Cup success?