Thomas Tuchel has been warned that England have ‘no chance’ of winning the World Cup without ‘brilliant striker and brilliant captain’ Harry Kane, according to former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison.
Morrison’s Verdict on Kane’s Importance
Morrison, speaking to Free Bets, stated: ‘Let me tell you something, if Harry Kane is not fit or not available, England have no chance of winning the World Cup. That is my honest opinion. He’s had an outstanding season for Bayern Munich. Brilliant striker, brilliant captain, leads by example. He is the key to everything England want to do. Keep him fit and England have a genuine chance of winning the World Cup. And if England do go on and win it with Kane leading from the front, you may as well write his name on the Ballon d’Or.’
England’s record goalscorer enjoyed another brilliant season at Bayern Munich, scoring 61 goals in 51 games to emerge as one of the candidates for the Ballon d’Or.
Tuchel’s Squad Selections Questioned
Morrison also expressed surprise at several of Tuchel’s squad selections. He highlighted Ivan Toney’s inclusion, saying: ‘My biggest is Ivan Toney. Not to say I don’t rate him, he’s a top player, but he’s barely been involved in any squads and now all of a sudden he’s going to the World Cup. Going with three strikers, I’m not even sure you need three because Harry Kane plays every minute of every game.’
He also criticised the omissions of Harry Maguire, Adam Wharton, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. ‘Harry Maguire not going, I can’t believe that. I probably would have taken him over Dan Burn. Tournament experience, had a better season, a threat from set pieces. Another big omission for me, the most ridiculous decision, is no Adam Wharton. That was unbelievable. He’s had a great season. If you’re a centre forward in that England team, you want Adam Wharton finding passes into you. And Trent Alexander-Arnold, I don’t know for the life of me how he’s not in the squad. When you’re playing in that heat and you need someone to keep the ball and pick a pass, Trent should be there.’
England’s World Cup Campaign
England are in World Cup Group L and kick-start their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday night before facing Ghana and Panama. Argentina are the World Cup holders, having beaten France in a tense penalty shootout in the final of the last tournament in 2022.
