The NBA side rolled out the red carpet for Campana after he signed for the Revolution from Inter Miami
Campana attends Celtics game against San Antonio SpursWhite showcases strong performance in 116-103 victoryCampana signed for the Revolution from Inter MiamiGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Leonardo Campana, the Ecuadorian striker recently acquired by the New England Revolution, made a surprise appearance at TD Garden to watch the Boston Celtics take on the San Antonio Spurs.
Following the Celtics’ 116-103 victory, Campana and Celtics guard Derrick White exchanged jerseys, creating a memorable moment that bridged the worlds of MLS and NBA. Not only that, Campana was spotted signing autographs for Celtic fans.
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The 24-year-old forward signed for the Revs in December from Inter Miami after the two clubs completed a deal worth $2.5 million in GAM plus add-ons. The Ecuadorian had been at Miami since the start of the 2023 season and netted 31 goals for the club before he was traded.
That figure makes him the club’s second-leading goalscorer across all competition and puts him behind only Lionel Messi (34) during the time he spent at the club.
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The Revolution endured a tough 2024 MLS season as they finished second last in the Eastern Conference, above only Chicago Fire. To make things even worse, they had the worst goals scored record in the entire league, finishing at the bottom of the table in that regard. It has forced the club’s hand as they’ve made more than a few new signings during the offseason.
That includes bringing in Campana, Maximiliano Urruti, Luis Diaz and Ignatius Gangao to reinforce their roster while also adding a few other pieces across the board to help the team.
It does leave head coach Caleb Porter with a tactical headache to solve before the club kicks off their 2025 MLS season against Nashville SC on Feb. 22.
“I think there will be some negativity from some people about it – I understand that and I get that,” says Smith
Andrew McGlashan26-Nov-2021Pat Cummins had made having Steven Smith alongside him a vital part of his pitch for the Australian Test captaincy in what effectively became a joint ticket for the leadership.While the pair had been the favourites to take their respective roles after a dramatic week that likely saw the end of Tim Paine’s Test career, Cummins almost made it a non-negotiable that Smith would be his lieutenant, even as Australia enter an unknown era of having a fast bowler in charge.After the appointment, Cummins made it clear that he has no intention to rest himself from Tests – he may have to scale back his commitments in other formats – but Smith is now an injury away from captaining Australia again three-and-a-half years after the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Even if not officially in charge, he is likely to have a much more active role than previous deputies.Related
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“I think there’s a couple of more unknowns about having a bowling captain and that’s why from the outset I was absolutely determined if I was captain to have someone like Steve as vice-captain next to me,” Cummins said. “I feel like I’ve got quite a lot of experience to draw on. A lot of the problems or potential issues around being a fast-bowling captain I’m sure we’ll be able to work through.”Obviously, it’s not our decision who is captain and vice-captain. I made it pretty clear that if I was given the captaincy that this is how I saw the team running and I tried to bring Steve along for that as well. He’s so central to how I see my captaincy style but [also] how I see the team functioning.”Smith admitted that his return to a leadership role may not be universally accepted. “I think there will be some negativity from some people about it,” he said. “I understand that and I get that. But for me, I know that I’ve grown a great deal over the last three or four years. I’m a more rounded individual and in turn I think it’s turned me into a better leader.”The pair are part of the group of Australian players still in quarantine on the Gold Coast after the T20 World Cup – something that Cummins suggested may have proved helpful during the recent upheaval – and they both discussed the direction they could take the team in before being interviewed by the CA panel earlier this week.Now that it is official, they will start to work on the finer points of the partnership ahead of the start of the Ashes on December 8, and Cummins indicated there may be occasions when he cedes to Smith in the field.
“There’s going to be times where I’m out in the middle, it’s a hot day, I’m in the middle of a spell and I need to turn to people for advice, for tactics, for experience and that’s the main reason, one of the big reasons why I wanted Steve to be vice-captain”Pat Cummins
“There’s going to be times where I’m out in the middle, it’s a hot day, I’m in the middle of a spell and I need to turn to people for advice, for tactics, for experience and that’s the main reason, one of the big reasons why I wanted Steve to be vice-captain,” Cummins said. “How that looks? I think it potentially could look differently to [how] you’ve seen partnerships work in the past. I think that will remain pretty fluid.”A 22-degree day might look differently to a 40-degree day. There will be times on the field where I’ll throw to Steve and you’ll see Steve move fielders around, maybe doing bowling changes, taking a bit more of an elevated vice-captaincy role and that’s what I really want.”That’s what I’ve asked and I’m really glad Steve is happy with that as well. We’ll nut out exactly how that works, but it’s going to be a real collaborative approach. Steve has got such huge strength especially around tactically out on the field.”For his part, Smith will go where his captain asks but hopes that his 34 Tests of experience at the helm can complement the new approach that Cummins will bring.”I’m completely guided by Patrick and whatever he needs on the field,” he said. “If there’s times when Patrick hands to me and wants me to take over and do some different things out on the field I’m there for that. My job is to support Patrick as much as I can.”
The former Nepal coach will return to the position following the resignation of Dav Whatmore
ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2021Pubudu Dassanayake has been reappointed as head coach of the Nepal men’s national team, Cricket Association of Nepal announced at the end of their board meeting held earlier today. Dassanayake will fill the vacancy that opened up after Dav Whatmore stepped down from the position in September at the end of Nepal’s ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in Oman.Dassanayake has had a successful run as coach at the Associate level over the years. From 2007 to 2011, he was with Canada, who he represented as a cricketer after migrating from Sri Lanka in 2001. He helped the team qualify for their third straight ODI World Cup, and was then appointed as Nepal coach.”I am simply gratified and blessed that I have got this opportunity to work with Cricket Association of Nepal,” he said after his appointment. “I am hopeful I would be able now to take Nepal cricket to a great height as we have immense talent not only in senior level but also in the junior level.”Related
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He was involved with the Nepal set-up from 2011 to 2016, guiding them from Division Four of the World Cricket League (WCL) to Division One, the WCL Championship, and to their first major ICC tournament, the 2014 T20 World Cup.After that, he served as the head coach of USA for just under three years, before resigning in July 2019. He was in charge as USA moved up from Division Four of the WCL, in November 2016, to ODI status in April 2019 after they secured a top-four finish at WCL Division Two.As a cricketer, Dassanayake, now 51, played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs as a wicketkeeper for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1994, before Romesh Kaluwitharana became the preferred keeper for the national team. By the turn of the millennium, he was spending his off seasons playing as an overseas club pro for Centurions CC in the Toronto suburb of Brampton. By 2001, he had left Sri Lanka for good.Though he didn’t have hopes of continuing as a cricketer in Canada, his performances with Centurions CC helped him make the Canada team once he had completed his four-year residency requirement. He made his debut at 34 in the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland, where he helped Canada qualify for the 2007 World Cup. He couldn’t take part in the tournament, though, because of his commitments as a duty manager at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club.At 36, after the 2007 World Cup, he took over as the coach of the Canada side, and has been a professional coach since.Whatmore, whose shoes Dassanayake will fill, was appointed to the position in Nepal in December 2020 and took charge in early 2021, with qualification for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia the stated focus. Whatmore, however, decided to step down shortly into his job, and it was understood at the time that his decision was influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, which had made it difficult for him to see his family because of travel restrictions.
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil may have made some interesting signings during the summer, but he was also forced to balance the books too, which meant selling a few of the club’s prized assets.
Max Kilman departed for £40m, joining West Ham United. Pedro Neto, arguably the Old Gold’s most bankable star, joined Chelsea for a fee in the region of £54m. While the defender may be easily replaced, it is clear that bringing in someone with the same sort of qualities that Neto exuded could be difficult.
Pedro Neto’s stats for Wolves last season
The winger enjoyed one of his most productive campaigns for the Old Gold in 2023/24, scoring three goals and registering 11 assists in all competitions.
Neto also created seven big chances, averaged key passes and 1.9 successful dribbles per game in the top flight, showcasing his attacking talents, despite playing just 20 times due to injury.
Wolves star Pedro Neto
This form was enough for the Blues to splash out, ensuring Wolves received an impressive profit for the 24-year-old, although they have yet to properly replace him.
Might this change when the January transfer window comes around? As O’Neil is taking a close look at someone who is currently enjoying life in the Championship with Watford this term.
Wolves eyeing swoop for Championship star
As reported by journalist Alan Nixon earlier this week, (via GIVEMESPORT), Wolves are keeping tabs on Watford midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze ahead of potentially making a swoop when the transfer window opens in a couple of months.
The Georgian international could cost the Old Gold between £15-£20m, but given they raked in massive amounts for Kilman and Neto, money shouldn’t be an immediate concern.
Two months is a long time in the Premier League, but it is evident O’Neil needs to add more creativity into his side, especially with survival vital.
Why Giorgi Chakvetadze could be a dream signing for Cunha
Matheus Cunha has already scored four goals this term and, once again, appears to be the club’s saviour as they seek their first league win.
The Watford man has scored once and grabbed three assists for the club this term, mainly operating as an attacking midfielder. He can play on the wing, however, hence making him a potential replacement for Neto next year.
2.5 key passes per game and five big chances created in the Championship suggest the 25-year-old could fill the void left by Neto, allowing him to create plenty of opportunities for Cunha and co.
Watford manager Tom Cleverly hailed the midfielder for his “sheer class” and there is no doubt he could add some extra attacking dynamism to the current Wolves starting XI.
Goals
1
Assists
2
Successful dribbles per game
1.8
Shots per game
1.8
Big chances created
5
Total duels won per game
4.3
Much will depend on what happens between now and January concerning the club making a move for him. If poor results persist, O’Neil may well find himself out of a job.
Should results improve, however, the Molineux side may well attempt to bring the player to the Midlands.
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Jude Bellingham has reportedly left the celebrity dating app Raya as his relationship with American model and influencer Ashlyn Castro blossoms.
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Castro has attended Champions League gameSpotted dining with Bellingham in Spanish capitalRelationship has seemingly been made officialFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid star Bellingham has been spotted dining in the Spanish capital with 27-year-old Castro. She has also attended a Blancos game in the Champions League, which allowed her to mingle with Bellingham’s mum and dad in their family box at Santiago Bernabeu.
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While Bellingham and Castro were said to be growing close, it emerged that the 21-year-old midfielder still had an active profile on the exclusive Raya application. A source told : “I couldn't believe it when I saw Jude was active on Raya. This isn't your average dating app and the profile is linked to his verified Instagram account. Let's hope he just forgot his was active – or that he's made a prior arrangement with Ashlyn.”
THE GOSSIP
According to the , said account has now been deleted. That would appear to confirm that Bellingham is preparing to settle down with Castro – who boasts 140,000 followers on Instagram and has previously been linked with Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan and NBA star LaMelo Ball.
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WHAT NEXT?
Another professional basketball player, Terance Mann, has rubbished reports that Castro was still involved with him when linking up with Bellingham. Dutch model Laura Celia Valk also revealed in December that she has never coupled up with the England international, with gossip there considered to be a PR stunt.
The three games will all be day-night fixtures as part of the Super League, and will be held in Kandy
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2021Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are set to begin 2022 with three ODIs as part of the ICC Super League, with Sri Lanka hosting the series. The three games will be day-night fixtures scheduled for January 16, 18 and 21, and will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.Zimbabwe are currently placed bottom of the Super League table with two wins from their nine games, while Sri Lanka are sixth in the 13-team league, with four wins from 15 games. The Super League is a qualification path to the 2023 ODI World Cup, with the top eight teams qualifying directly, while the remaining five will be pooled with five Associate teams in a qualifying tournament. Two teams will go through to the World Cup from that tournament. By virtue of hosting the 2023 World Cup, India have automatically qualified, effectively making the Super League a battle for the next seven spots.Zimbabwe are currently tied on 25 points with the Netherlands, but have played five matches fewer.”Every game is very important for us because Super League games will decide who can qualify automatically, hence it is important that we prepare well and start well,” Zimbabwe head coach Lalchand Rajput said. “I am a very confident person and always believe that we can beat Sri Lanka, considering that we have had good game time playing the Pro50 tournament [Zimbabwe’s domestic List A competition].”Zimbabwe’s last ODI in the Super League was part of a three-match series against Ireland in September, which ended 1-1. The teams split points in the washed out second ODI. Sri Lanka also last played in the Super League in September, beating South Africa 2-1 in a home series.”We have not started off well in the Super League, but I am confident that with the players in form during the Pro50 matches, we will do well against Sri Lanka,” Rajput said. “If we play our best cricket and to our potential, with our best players, there is every chance that we can qualify directly.”
Former referee Mark Halsey has claimed that Manchester United were saved by 'wrong' footage being shown to referee Andrew Madley against Everton.
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Everton denied late pen in 2-2 draw with Man UtdFormer ref claims Madley's on-field call should have stoodAlso blames VAR for showing Madley 'wrong' footageFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?
Everton were denied a late penalty by VAR in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United after Ashley Young was pulled down in the Red Devils' box by Matthijs De Ligt. Referee Madley gave the Toffees a spot-kick but was called back to review the footage by VAR and decided to overturn the decision as the contact by De Ligt was deemed light.
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Halsey, a former Premier League referee between 1999 and 2013, has now told The Sun that during Madley's on-field review, the referee was shown the wrong footage of the incident. Additionally, the former official also claimed that Madley's original decision should not have been contested by VAR as there was no clear and obvious error in the on-field call.
Getty Images SportWHAT HALSEY SAID
Speaking to The Sun, Halsey said: "The decision to overturn a penalty awarded to Everton near the end of their 2-2 draw with Manchester United was clearly wrong. VAR Matt Donohue should NOT have got involved because referee Andy Madley’s on-field call was in no way a clear and obvious error. Ashley Young’s shirt was pulled – and when an opponent does that in the penalty area he is asking for trouble.
"When Madley went to the monitor on the advice of VAR he was then shown the wrong footage. The Premier League Match Centre posted on social media that Harry Maguire’s challenge on Young had been checked and that no foul had been committed. But they failed to take into account that Matthijs de Ligt had pulled Young back by the shirt.
"And had Madley been shown footage filmed from behind the goal he would have seen this. The incident was embarrassing."
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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
Ruben Amorim's side's struggles have continued as they went down two goals against Everton before mounting up a comeback for the 2-2 draw. However, the Red Devils need a win when they take on their potential fellow relegation battlers Ipswich Town on Wednesday, February 27.
Liverpool can’t control everything – such as refereeing and the opinions of the Premier League officials – but Arne Slot’s side are doing everything within their power to flourish this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s era is no more. Many of those who are not of a Liverpool persuasion will have been cavorting over the German’s decision to step down after nine illustrious years, but Liverpool have only gone from strength to strength since the summer and have taken the frustrating tag of the early title favourites.
A silver-laden finish would be brilliant this season, but the Reds faithful will want an age of lasting success and in order to achieve that, the non-commital trio of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold must pen new deals.
Salah and Van Dijk are into their 30s but still certainly world-class, however, Alexander-Arnold is stepping into the prime of his career and is a Scouse-born superstar. Losing him is inconceivable, but with Real Madrid eager, very possible all the same.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive improvement
Alexander-Arnold has completed 325 appearances for his boyhood club, a key part in the golden modern age, notably lifting the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jurgen Klopp
One of football’s finest technicians, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has remarked that “it’s like having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back,” such is the influence that he projects from the right flank.
As per FBref, Alexander-Arnold ranks among the top 18% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 12% for assists, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90. The spread of his quality is near unparalleled.
What’s more, though, the Liverpudlian is beginning to refine the seemingly lesser facets of his skill set; Slot’s arrival to the dugout has given rise to a new-found defensive ability.
2024/25
3.5
0.9
3.9 (55%)
0
2023/24
2.5
1.5
2.7 (44%)
5
2022/23
2.7
1.0
2.5 (50%)
2
2021/22
2.6
1.0
2.1 (44%)
0
2020/21
3.0
1.2
2.7 (51%)
4
2019/20
2.6
1.8
2.2 (44%)
3
He’s never been more precise in the duel, with greater emphasis on his tackling and interceptions too. Alexander-Arnold’s decreased clearing output is actually a positive pointer too, for it suggests he is crisper in dealing with pressure and less profligate.
He’s one of the best right-backs of his generation and may cement himself within loftier conversations upon retirement. There’s a reason that Real Madrid hold a vested interest in his name.
He’s easily the Anfield side’s finest academy superstar since Steven Gerrard, but whatever the outcome in the ongoing contractual quandary, fans can take a sliver of solace in the fact that Trey Nyoni is the latest to emerge, with the teenager looking to shoot to the top.
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Journalist Antonio Mango has described Nyoni as a “star in the making”, with the 17-year-old midfielder drawing plenty of plaudits since completing a move from Leicester City last year, fending off fierce competition for his services.
Trey Nyoni scores during pre season.
Quickly establishing himself as one of Liverpool’s most prominent youth members, Nyoni has scored seven goals at different levels for the development sides, with his performances leading him to play a part in Klopp’s swansong last term.
Such success provided Nyoni, who has been praised for his “special” quality by Reds correspondent DaveOCKOP, with a place in Slot’s pre-season squad, and he proved his precocity with a fine strike against Sevilla in August.
He’s already been compared to one-time Manchester United sensation Paul Pogba and indeed looks to carry many of the former £89m star’s most eye-catching physical qualities, blessed with incipient elite-level technique too.
He featured off the bench during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in October and has been named as a substitute in Champions League games against Bologna and RB Leipzig. Slot holds high hopes for this youngster.
Such faith, at such a young age, bears testament to Nyoni’s pedigree, and might just see him nail down a name as Liverpool’s prized youngster as he continues to earn chances to impress.
Liverpool’s formative fold has gone from strength to strength over the past several years, and Nyoni would have some competition for the number one spot, namely from Ben Doak.
Ben Doak in action for Middlesbrough
Doak isn’t plying his craft on Merseyside right now, having joined Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough on a season-long loan move in the summer. The 19-year-old’s promising breakout campaign was cut short by injury, but the 18-year-old is still regarded among the finest talents in the Premier League.
Former Scotland defender Willie Miller hailed him as his nation’s “standout” during a defeat against Croatia in October and he is certainly making waves with Boro, recording three assists from his past two fixtures in the Championship after scoring earlier in the term.
Ben Doak for Liverpool
The right winger is the real deal, and the best part is that he can operate in conjunction with Nyoni, who is a sort of hybrid number eight.
Slot’s got so much talent at his disposal, but Nyoni is showing all the signs of being the cream of the crop. Who knows, he might even prove to be Liverpool’s finest academy graduate since Alexander-Arnold waltzed onto the scene.
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Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Wrexham blew a chance to go level on points with Wycombe Wanderers as poor finishing cost the Red Dragons two points in a 0-0 draw with Bolton.
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The Red Dragons were without Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer, both of them dropped from a League One matchday squad yet again, as they hosted Bolton in a game devoid of any clinical finishing. Both sides had chances to take the lead in the opening stages, with January signing Sam Smith coming closest for the Red Dragons after 24 minutes but the forward’s downward header bounced and looped over the bar. The Wrexham pressure appeared to have broken the deadlock seven minutes before the break when Eoghan O'Connell struck but the celebrations were cut short immediately after the referee blew for a foul in the build-up.
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was then given a fright by former Arsenal academy team-mate Jordi Osei-Tutu when the left-midfielder rattled the bar from a tight angle. After a scrappy but entertaining first-half, neither side were able to register a shot on target, let alone a breakthrough, with improvement needed.
Wrexham started the second period brightly and pressed the visitors high up the pitch although it was Bolton who found the net through Josh Sheehan, only for an offside flag to save the Red Dragons. The disallowed goal sparked life into the home fans and players and a deep Sebastian Revan cross was met by an impressive header back across goal from Ryan Longman to Thomas O'Connor who, from two yards out, inexplicably spooned his effort over the bar.
The game opened up in the latter stages, Osei-Tutu again threatened down the Bolton left and pulled back to Carlos Mendes-Gomes who blazed his effort over the Wrexham net. Jack Marriott was sent clean through before the end but could only drag his effort 10 yards wide and Okonkwo was then the hero for Wrexham as he denied James Collins with a smart stop down to his right. A late O'Connor free-kick caused a few murmurs but went wide with the last kick of the game and it all ended square.
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Wrexham will take heart from their promotion rival's misfortune as Wycombe Wanderers lost to league leaders Birmingham. While the Blues grow increasingly out-of-sight, the Red Dragons will now be set on chasing down the second automatic promotion spot. Phil Parkinson's side are just two points off Wycombe after Saturday's results.
Getty Images SportTHE MVP
Ryan Longman was the standout performer for the Red Dragons. A constant threat down the Wrexham right-flank, the wing-back put in a series of dangerous crosses and should have provided a match-winning assist. He was surprsingly subbed after 73 minutes.
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Thomas O'Connor will be having nightmares tonight about his missed chance. The defender found himself alone, just metres out, and was unable to convert Longman's header back across goal. O'Connor, leaning back when he struck the effort, will not want to watch that golden chance again.
Harry Kane’s form for England has been a big talking point of late, but will he still be leading the line for his country at the 2026 World Cup? And if not, who could replace him?
There is no question that Kane is one of the greatest strikers this country has ever produced, with the 31-year-old the Three Lions’ leading goalscorer in history.
Not only that, but he is second in the Premier League all-time scoring charts behind Alan Shearer, and had he not moved to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, he would have had every chance of overtaking the former Newcastle striker.
For all Kane’s brilliance, though, he has found himself under the spotlight on England duty of late, not least during Euro 2024, when his performances were horribly below par – prompting criticism from the likes of Shearer and Gary Lineker.
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Whether he was simply unfit is up for debate, but Ollie Watkins became a better option as the tournament went on, and it was telling that Kane was substituted by Gareth Southgate at important times, including in the final against Spain.
Now 31, some feel that the Bayern star’s legs are beginning to go, with his preference for dropping deep and not running in behind hurting other players, and there have to be question marks about his place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI by the time of the next World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
Kane remains likely to be part of the squad as things stand, but if not, who are the leading contenders to replace him? Here are six that we’ve chosen…
1 Ollie Watkins Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins is the clear frontrunner to replace Kane at present, with the Aston Villa hero now proving himself as an international striker who can deliver on the big stage.
The 28-year-old’s stunning late winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 summed up his quality, and he is a player who could be coming right into his prime.
Watkins now has 5 goals in 18 caps for England, and while that may not be an earth-shattering return, he should score more often if he is given more opportunities from the starts of games. He also has more legs than Kane these days, not to mention that ability to run in behind.
It is worth noting that Watkins himself will be 30 by the time the World Cup begins, so he can’t be viewed as the long-term solution leading the line for the Three Lions.
2 Dominic Solanke Tottenham Hotspur
For a while, there were doubts over whether Dominic Solanke would reach his potential, having failed to make himself an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans at Liverpool.
However, the 27-year-old has done impressively in the years since leaving Anfield in 2019, enjoying five brilliant years at Bournemouth, scoring 77 goals in 216 appearances for the Cherries.
His form there earned him a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, and he has continued to lead the line in formidable fashion, netting six times in all competitions this season heading into the winter period. He has to be considered one of the best choices to succeed Kane.
Solanke is still awaiting his first England goal, and just three caps shows that his international career hasn’t got going yet, but he should be involved far more in the next 18 months or so, having earned his first call-up for seven years in recent months.
3 Ivan Toney Al-Ahli
Ivan Toney for England
This time last year, Ivan Toney would have been alongside Watkins as a standout choice to succeed Kane, but his move from Brentford to the Saudi Pro League has arguably seen him fall down the pecking order.
Tuchel may find it hard to justify bringing the Englishman into his squad, considering he is playing at a far lower level of quality to the Premier League. But it should be remembered that he also did well at the Euros when called upon like Watkins – and his penalty-taking ability is second to none, as proven in the quarter-final win over Switzerland.
Therefore, Toney can’t be ruled out as a contender to start in place of Kane.
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Ipswich Town may be struggling amid their return to the Premier League this season, but Liam Delap has been one of the clear standout players for Kieran McKenna’s side.
Having left Manchester City permanently for Portman Road in the summer transfer window, the 21-year-old has excelled, scoring six league goals in just 10 starts, which is highly impressive for a side near the bottom of the table.
Delap should be viewed as one of the best long-term attacking options for England, and by the time the World Cup rolls around, he will be a more experienced figure who is hopefully still banging in the goals and gaining Tuchel’s attention in the process.
The former City youngster has been capped by the Three Lions at seven different age groups, so it may not be long before Tuchel calls him into the senior setup if his progress continues.
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ByStephan Georgiou May 7, 2024 5 Cole Palmer Chelsea
On the face of it, it makes no sense to be talking about Cole Palmer as a possible Kane replacement, but it remains to be seen how Tuchel will set up his England side when he takes charge next year.
Some of the criticism aimed at Kane has been his ability to blunt those around him, from Phil Foden to Jude Bellingham, and the new manager may feel that a more fluid attacking unit is needed.
In Palmer, England have a prodigiously gifted talent who has arguably been the Premier League’s best player so far this season, and he has the intelligence and versatility to thrive as a roaming false nine.
The Chelsea star can drop deep and run in behind, and the idea of him dovetailing with the likes of Foden, Bellingham and Bukayo Saka is a mouthwatering thought for Three Lions supporters.
It still feels more likely that Tuchel will want a proper striker in his team, but don’t rule this out.
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1 ByBarney Lane Oct 11, 2024 6 Tammy Abraham Milan
When an English player moves to a foreign country, it can be easy to forget about them because they aren’t in the limelight as much.
That has arguably happened with Tammy Abraham, who hasn’t played in England since departing Chelsea for Roma back in the summer of 2021.
Still only 27, Milan loanee Abraham shouldn’t be ruled out as an option to come in for Kane, with his pace, movement and physicality making him a tough proposition for defenders.
There are likely better choices out there, but a season in Serie A that makes people sit up and take notice back home could change all that.