Hot-spot Kane’s worth is now out of this world with the help of VAR
GARETH SOUTHGATE deserves all the credit coming his way but he was not the first England manager – and he won’t be the last – to meticulously plan a penalty shoot-out.
And let’s face it, for all the scribblings on water bottles and psychologists, if Mateus Uribe’s spot-kick is an inch lower, England are probably not facing Sweden tomorrow. THE news that two more people have been poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok was a timely reminder that Anglorussian relations remain on a less than cordial level.
That English visitors to the World Cup are being treated so well should not render concerns over the Russian regime irrelevant.
It just shows that, in every part of the world, there are more decent people than not. IMAGINE the carnage Harry Kane could cause if he got some decent service at this World Cup.
This is a striker who is going to spot-kick his way to the Golden Boot.
At the risk of asking what the Romans did for us, other than the two poacher’s efforts from corner routines, the fluke off his heel and the hat-trick of penalties, Kane has found it tough to find scoring chances.
For his all-round work, dropping deep and winning countless free-kicks – and for his exemplary prowess from 12 yards – he has been given the official man-ofthe-match award in every game he has played.
To even think there should be more to come from the captain seems faintly ridiculous.
But, aside from his six successes, Kane has only had three attempts on goal, two in the Colombia match and one against Tunisia.
Gareth Southgate’s system, in which Kane is obliged to regularly drop deeper than he would for his club, is one that gives England greater control of a game.
However, it is not producing a glut – or even many – chances from open play. But, as long as they continue to harvest penalties and find success from set-pieces, who cares?
Make no mistake, England can have very few complaints about the refereeing here.
They have been awarded three penalties, and Kane’s opening one against Panama was England’s first at a World Cup since David Beckham (right) hit the winner from the spot against Argentina in 2002.
The use of VAR has emboldened referees when it comes to giving penalties.
There have been 28 so far – a tournament record by some distance – and there are still eight games to be played. The average total over the last five World Cups has been 16.
The VAR system might do for penalty-takers what cricket’s DRS has done for spinners. As a peerless penalty-taker, Kane’s value is probably more than most imagine.
Their value in the game will be at a premium and his new £200,000-a-week contract is good business from Tottenham’s point of view. Assuming he avoids
THE demographic of the two millionplus who participate in the BBC’S online player-rater is not clear.
What is clear is that the majority have it in for Raheem Sterling.
In all three of his appearances at this World Cup, the Manchester City star any lengthy injury absences, Kane – who turns 25 in three weeks’ time – has at least another three international tournaments in him.
Throw in the qualifiers, the UEFA Nations League games and friendlies and he must be an odds-on favourite to overhaul Wayne Rooney at the top of the England scoring charts.
With 19 goals to his name, he needs another 35. He might get those in penalties.
While England continue to profit from setpieces, the reliance on him sniffing out second balls and converting penalties is fine.
But the ambitions of this England team have changed, whether they care to express them or not.
A quarter-final against Sweden, to be followed by a semi-final against Russia or Croatia, is a once-in-alifetime chance to make a World Cup final.
Even if the likes of Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard cannot carve out openings for Kane, England can still book a date in Moscow on July 15.
But it would be a hell of a lot easier if they did.
has been ranked as England’s worst player.
Against Tunisia, he was given an average mark of 4.1, against Panama 5.3 and against Colombia – a game in which I had him down as one of England’s best players – he got a 4.5.
Sterling says he has a thick skin.
He needs it.