“We can’t put the whole burden on Harry’s shoulders,” said England team boss Gareth Southgate, looking ahead to the tournament after the 1-0 win against Croatia at the start. Knowing full well that he can rely on a different offensive force. Sterling impressed with extreme leg work, tireless dribbling and good passing play. Ideal conditions for perfect harmony with Kane.
He was described by his new Tottenham sports director Fabio Paratici opposite “Sky Italia” as a “complete player”. His numbers in the jersey of the disappointing “Spurs” with seventh place in the table prove this: every 122 minutes Kane lets the net flounder in the Premier League. His career brand in the English upper house stands at 166 goals in 245 games. In 2020/21, the 27-year-old scored 50 points in 49 competitive games – 33 goals and 17 assists. His European Championship ticket was out of the question, in contrast to his teammates, who all missed the leap to the finals.
England are hoping for Sterling and Kane
With the support of the fans behind them, England wants to reward itself with the title in its first European Championship final. Against Italy, hopes rest once again on captain Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.
Sterling a “fighter with a real hunger for goals”
The striker was initially unable to take his form with him to the European Championship and was even withdrawn from the field early twice. It was Sterling who carried the English team through the group stage. The two only goals of the “Three Lions” – in the 1-0 successes against Croatia and the Czech Republic – went to the account of the ManCity support. “He has been performing reliably for us for a long time,” Southgate said after the opening win over Sterling. After a rather moderate season with the “Citizens”, in which he only met ten times in the league, he held the rod for the 26-year-old.
And Sterling repaid the trust in his “back garden”, as he calls the final location in London, with good performances. The 65-time team player was born in Jamaica and grew up in the socially difficult district of Wembley in the north-west of the capital. There the offensive artist, who is described by Southgate as a “fighter with a real hunger for goals”, was able to relieve his captain above all. With four scorer points and tireless efforts, he has a good chance of being voted the best player of the tournament.
United next season at ManCity?
Just in time for the knockout phase, Kane found his nose for goal again. With a total of ten goals at major tournaments, the “Captain fantastic” has caught up with Gary Lineker. He “would love it if he pulls away in the final,” as he reported on Twitter. When asked, Kane immediately paid tribute to him: “Gary was an amazing player, a great English striker.”
The transfer time will be anything but calm for Kane, who has been playing for “Spurs” since 2004. Since he was unable to win titles with Tottenham, he openly submitted his change request to those responsible before the tournament. Keeping your most valuable player “is not just my goal, but ours as a club,” sporting director Paratici announced. The hottest prospect is Sterling’s Manchester City employer.
Tottenham boss Daniel Levy has allegedly rejected an initial offer of 117 million euros. It remains to be seen whether the two outstanding national players will go hunting for goals together in the Premier League next season. In any case, for Kane, next to the England’s first major title since the 1966 World Cup triumph, it will also be about the top scorer’s crown. With four goals, only Cristiano Ronaldo (5) is in front of him. Awards like these are “just a bonus,” assured the center forward.
