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Walker Backs Tottenham’s Kane as England’s Main Striker

By Alexander Balano

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Harry Kane of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Portugal at Wembley Stadium on June 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Harry Kane of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Portugal at Wembley Stadium on June 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane isn’t the only striker that Roy Hodgson has on his 23-man squad at this summer’s European Championship, but Kyle Walker has backed his Spurs teammate to handle the burden of being the Three Lions’ main center-forward.

Since Harry Kane became a starter on November 2014 for Tottenham, the 22-year-old has gone on to score 59 goals in all competitions and has been Mauricio Pochettino’s main, and only, striker on the team. Adding in five international goals puts Kane’s total at 64 for club and country, which shows why Spurs’ right-back, Kyle Walker, believes Kane can lead Roy Hodgson’s attack in the Euros.

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"“Harry isn’t fazed about leading the line for England at all at the Euros and isn’t feeling the pressure,” Walker said (via London Evening Standard).“He has been scoring goals for fun at Tottenham for the past two years and is used to having the responsibility of having to find the net for us.”“I am convinced he can do the same for England during the Euros and make the difference in games.”"

It has helped to know Harry Kane for as long as Kyle Walker has, going all the way back to their youth academy days. Certainly having Kane going out on four loan spells prior to Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival in May 2014 and getting as much experience as he could has paid off so far.

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 28: Kyle Walker (L), Harry Kane and Danny Rose (R) of England talk during a training session prior to the International Friendly match against the Netherlands at the Tottenham Hotspur training centre on March 28, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 28: Kyle Walker (L), Harry Kane and Danny Rose (R) of England talk during a training session prior to the International Friendly match against the Netherlands at the Tottenham Hotspur training centre on March 28, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

While a majority of the Tottenham striker’s loans didn’t return results that suggested he would become one of the country’s best center-forwards at a young age, Harry Kane’s dedication to always better himself is second to none and it shows during training sessions.

"“I have known Harry for a long time having seen him come through the ranks at Tottenham and nothing seems to get to him.”“He has been looking good in training and is just excited to play in the first game like we all are.”"

With England’s strikeforce just about set, whether Harry Kane is the main striker or not, Simon Jonhson of the London Evening Standard asked Kyle Walker his thoughts that the Three Lions’ defense hasn’t been as good as it should be against Europe’s better teams.

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Put frankly, it’s under scrutiny from media and supporters alike.

"“I think we are fine at the back. The defensive unit is not just the back four and the keeper. You can start your defending from up top – it’s a team game. We attack and defend as a team,” Walker said.“There are obviously a few improvements we want to make offensively and defensively, but we are putting that into motion now. Hopefully it will all go to plan during the Russia game.”"

Indeed, the whole team does attack and defend as a unit. And something that will help aid England’s efforts to work together as a team is the selections of Tottenham’s other three players: Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Danny Rose.

There’s a possibility that all five Spurs players could start against Russia this Saturday, and because all of them have played together for one season they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

It might not be an England squad fully comprised of Tottenham’s starting XI, but having five starters from Mauricio Pochettino’s squad is still very good.

"“Of course it could help – it’s good to look around and see people you’re familiar with – the fact that you know their weaknesses and strengths and they know yours.”"

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In three days, Kyle Walker who, like mostly everyone on Roy Hodgson’s team, will be making their debuts in a major tournament can’t wait to start playing.

"“This is my first senior tournament after missing the last two with injury. I am excited and just soaking up the atmosphere. I just hope it’s a good one,” Walker added.“I definitely don’t feel like the established right back, that is up to the manager. Whether it’s me or Nathaniel Clyne that starts, we are both ready for it and relish the opportunity to make the right back berth our own.”"

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