SUTTON: Kane may NOT be the best man to lead England’s attack at the World Cup

The situation between Harry Kane and England is very interesting.

Going back to the European Championship, I was always convinced that you had to play against Kane. Get him on the team in any way possible, even if he isn't completely right.

His goalscoring record is phenomenal and he is a smart player who can play as a number 9 or number 10. But this is something Thomas Tuchel needs to look at in the future.

Kane isn't as mobile as he once was, although people may say 'well, he's never been overly mobile'.

I understand people will say he played that sublime pass into Ireland's Liam Scales for Jude Bellingham to cut it home and win a penalty in Sunday's 5-0 win at Wembley.

That game-changing moment came from Kane's brilliance in the deep drop.

But if England want to win the World Cup in a year and a half – and Lee Carsley thinks that's possible – you need to have the best balance in the team and the strongest attacking threat.

Kane never lags behind. That makes him predictable.

When he drops deep he is brilliant in the half turn, but you need players to stretch the back lines because you don't want to be predictable.

Whether it's Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon or Bellingham, you have to have that threat and you have to have that throughout the game.

When Kane plays, England becomes predictable, because as a defender you know he will come in and not go the other way.

I don't think his physicality or athleticism will improve in the next 18 months.

There was a moment in the second half at Wembley on Sunday when a ball was played into the canal and it would never get there.

Tuchel must therefore consider whether Kane will be the best man to take the lead at the World Cup. I'm not so sure he will be.

I have total respect for him, for the way he has conducted himself throughout his career. He is a phenomenal goalscorer and finisher.

But if you don't create opportunities for him, it can become a problem and you need someone less predictable.

When I think about centre-backs and who they would rather not play against, Ollie Watkins is less predictable. You don't know if he's going to stretch you back or get you up. You always have to make defenders think like strikers.

The only place the centre-backs don't want to be taken is towards the back. Watkins makes those moves, just like he did when he came into the European Championship.

It seems to be a better fit and better balance. It gives the opposition defenders more food for thought when you have a striker who plays that way.

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