Ian Wright hails Harry Kane as best goalscorer of his generation after record
Ian Wright: Kane is best goalscorer of our generation

Ian Wright has insisted Harry Kane is “the best goalscorer of our generation” after the England captain made history at Wembley Stadium.

Kane drew level on 125 appearances with Peter Shilton on Tuesday to become the joint most-capped player in England history. The 33-year-old made the occasion his own, assisting the opening goal — an own goal by Vladimir Coufal — and scoring two for himself in a 3-0 Nations League win over the Czech Republic.

Record-breaking striker

The Bayern Munich striker now has 91 international goals, 37 more than the 54 he needed to clear of Wayne Rooney when he became England’s all-time leading goalscorer.

He is a leading contender to win the Ballon d'Or next month, after he scored 73 goals last season in a campaign of goalscoring only ever beaten once, by Lionel Messi in the 2011-12 campaign.

Pundits praise Kane

“It seemed to be around 49 or 50 [goals] for a long time,” Wright said of the England goalscoring record. “Bobby [Charlton] and then [Gary] Lineker did it. Obviously Wayne has done it. It seemed to be around that for a long time.

“But he [Kane] has just absolutely shattered it with what he’s done. Absolutely shattered it. He’s the best goalscorer of our generation, isn’t he? He’s England’s best goalscorer ever.”

Fellow ITV pundit Roy Keane, sat alongside Wright, was just as impressed. The former Manchester United man said of the England skipper: “He’s a machine. He’s at the level now where this is what we expect from him. Two or three goals. He got two and an assist tonight. That desire to score goals is fantastic.”

Wright continued: “Anybody who comes into the squad is always asked: ‘Who has been the most impressive player since you’ve been here?’ They all say Harry Kane.

“Goalkeepers talk about how difficult it is to save his shots if it’s on target. He’s one of the best goalscorers in the world for a reason: for the work he puts in. He does the basics so well.”