Skip to main content

Manchester United Legend Against Giving 'Leader' Harry Kane the England Captaincy

  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Harry Kane is one of many England national team players looking to be given the armband by Gareth Southgate. The Tottenham striker, who has already scored 11 goals across all competitions this season, is in contention for the England captaincy along with Gary Cahill, Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier.

Kane has admitted that he already has a leadership role within the national team and that he will have to work hard to be given the armband full-time, according to The Sun.

"I feel like one of the leaders in the team," said the 24-year-old. "But Gareth Southgate has said he is going to take his time and we do have plenty of leaders.

"My focus has to be on scoring goals and continuing this form into October. That’s the most important thing, do your talking on the pitch."

The suggestion that Kane could be made captain of the national team hasn't gone down well with one former England skipper though. Ex-Manchester United midfielder Bryan Robson, who represented England 90 times, has "never been an advocate of strikers being captain" and would rather see Chelsea's Cahill be given the armband, according to his piece in the Daily Mail.

59d1f7202b3a7eca45000001.jpg

"For me, the captain should be Gary Cahill," Robson said. "Kane is a contender, as are Jordan Henderson and even Eric Dier. However, by the time the World Cup comes you want continuity in leadership.

"When I was England captain, my first concern was to get my own game right; only then can you encourage or criticise others - lead by example.

"Don't get me wrong, Kane can inspire those around him, but I'd leave him to concentrate on scoring," he added. "Kevin Keegan was my first England captain and you couldn't help but respect him because he worked so hard and he had been European Footballer of the Year.

"Alan Shearer was another forward who led by example but the team are sharper for having a leader further back who can read the pattern of the game and ensure others do their jobs."