Reja: Harry is still the real danger man for England
Albania head coach, Edoardo Reja, believes Harry Kane remains the man to stop – despite the emerging talent that now surrounds him in the England team.
The Three Lions continue their World Cup qualification campaign with today’s trip to Tirana, looking to build on their comfortable 5-0 victory over San Marino.
Albania also opened their Group I account with a win as they beat Andorra 1-0 to sit second in the embryonic standings.
Today’s game will be just the third meeting of the two nations after they were also paired in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
England are likely to recall captain Kane after he watched the San Marino canter from the Wembley bench.
The Tottenham striker is sixth on the list of alltime leading goalscorers for his country. But he has failed to find the back of the net for England in 16 months, drawing a blank in his past six matches.
But Reja has pinpointed Kane as the main danger for his side, with the Italian also impressed with the young prospects at England’s disposal.
“Of course Kane is one of the most-important players,” Reja said ahead of the encounter.
“He is the present, but players like Phil Foden, Mason Mount and other players are young and can show in the future their quality and their values.
“But Kane is the reality – he is the mostimportant player they have in the team.”
The game at the Air Albania Stadium was seemingly under threat after the Albanian Football Association (AFA) said on Thursday it had been informed that local police could not guarantee the safety of the teams.
State police later issued a statement saying they had taken the relevant precautions for the match.
There are also concerns over the playing surface at the 22,500-seater stadium, although England boss Gareth Southgate said he is aware “a lot of work” has been done to improve the pitch.
Reja, meanwhile, knows the visitors are also building up to the European Championship this summer.
“Of course, England is a top team, it has a group of young players, really talented, quality players,” he said.
“They are playing the World Cup qualifiers but are getting ready for the Euros also.
“I think they are working very well, they have a group with quality, all young and they have promise for the future.”