Solely 9 gamers have had the honour of incomes 100 caps for England however there may be about to be a brand new title added to the checklist.
Harry Kane – the nation’s all-time high goalscorer – is in line to start out towards Finland within the UEFA Nations League – and can mark the event by carrying gold boots.
The 31-year-old may even be offered with a golden cap as he formally joins an inventory of elite gamers that can perpetually have their names etched within the historical past books.
Kane has been a superb servant since making his debut again in 2015, however will he depart a much bigger England legacy than the others who sit beside him on the 100-cap checklist?
Learn on as we discover the place the previous Tottenham striker ranks among the many different centurions.
Who’re England’s centurions?
9 gamers have reached 100 caps earlier than Kane and the primary man to do it was Billy Wright in 1959.
11 years later, Bobby Charlton scored in a 3-1 win towards Northern Eire to mark his a hundredth look for England.
Three years later he was joined by Bobby Moore and in 1988, Peter Shilton – England’s most-capped participant – hit the milestone at 38 years outdated, the oldest participant to take action.
For the reason that flip of the century, 5 others have joined the checklist.
David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney all have over 100 caps for England and are quickly to be joined by one among Europe’s most prolific goalscorers in recent times.
Prepared for his 💯th cap!
Harry Kane is about to start out towards Finland at Wembley Stadium tomorrow night time in his a hundredth #ThreeLions look 🏴❤️
— England (@England) September 9, 2024
Full checklist of 100+ caps for England
Peter Shilton – 125
Wayne Rooney – 120
David Beckham – 115
Steven Gerrard – 114
Bobby Moore – 108
Ashley Cole – 107
Bobby Charlton – 106
Frank Lampard – 106
Billy Wright – 105
Can Kane turn out to be England’s most-capped participant?
Kane had no downside chasing down Rooney’s targets file, so there is no such thing as a motive why the bagsman can not extend his profession in an effort to turn out to be England’s most-capped participant.
Rooney managed 53 targets in 120 appearances for the Three Lions and Kane is already out of sight with 66 in 99 appearances.
He could also be 31, however there is no such thing as a doubt that the England skipper nonetheless has years left in his profession.
Interim coach Lee Carsley could also be seeking to combine youth into his group, however Kane has remained the point of interest in assault and can certainly proceed on because the nation’s captain and striker till the 2026 World Cup on the earliest.
Good begin to our Nations League marketing campaign away from house 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hXdFkfVoZR
— Harry Kane (@HKane) September 7, 2024
Ollie Watkins had a great few spells at Euro 2024 however he doesn’t provide the standard on the ball that Kane has.
The identical may be mentioned of Ivan Toney, who just lately moved to the Saudi Professional League and was omitted from the current worldwide squad.
In his first season at Bayern Munich, Kane scored 44 targets in 45 matches, proving that age is only a quantity for somebody of his high quality.
And as somebody who doesn’t depend on tempo to punish the opposition, it could seem greater than possible that Kane will prove no less than one other 25 occasions for England earlier than he calls it quits.
The place does Kane rank?
Kane is undoubtedly one among England’s greatest-ever gamers.
However in the end, success within the recreation is measured via silverware, and solely a handful of Lions have managed to get their fingers on a world trophy.
England males’s high objective scorer 2023/24 award! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CIDz5P2zft
— Harry Kane (@HKane) September 6, 2024
Till that occurs, it’s unlikely that Kane shall be lauded as THE best to ever pull on the shirt.
Many will debate whether or not he ranks above the likes of Rooney, Jimmy Greaves or Gordon Banks however there are most likely two gamers he can not sit above simply but.
Moore and Charlton had been each a part of the group that received the World Cup in 1966, and no England aspect have ever been capable of replicate their achievement since.
However it could not be unfair to fit Kane in slightly below them at No.3.
As captain of England’s most profitable squad within the fashionable period, it appears there is only one step lacking to immortalise his title throughout the nation.
Is he the person to finish the hunt for silverware?
Kane could possibly be described as the best participant to by no means win a trophy.
He’s Tottenham and England’s all-time high goalscorer however has a variety of runners-up medals in his cupboard.
That features two Euro finals, a Champions League last and a few shut title runs together with his respective golf equipment.
And after the frustration of Euro 2024, Kane is extra decided than ever to win the 2026 World Cup.
Very proud to have received the Bundesliga, Champions League and Euro 2024 golden boots final season in addition to the 2023/24 European Golden Shoe award.
I obtained offered with the Bundesliga trophy at yesterday’s recreation the place we continued our nice begin to the brand new season and I’m very… pic.twitter.com/H61KqfAqLH
— Harry Kane (@HKane) September 2, 2024
He mentioned: “It’s powerful everytime you get so near reaching one of many pinnacles of your profession and it’s taken away.
“It makes me much more motivated. It places the fireplace within the stomach to try to get there. Our process is to get higher.”
“I feel whenever you have a look at gamers like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Luka] Modric and [Lionel] Messi, all these gamers who’re taking part in of their mid to late 30s, that’s the inspiration for me as a result of it exhibits that you could actually play at a excessive stage for a very long time.
“I need to play soccer for so long as potential and on the highest stage for so long as potential.
“I exploit these gamers for motivation and inspiration to have the ability to try this.
“I really feel I’m in a extremely good place each mentally and bodily to have one other nice season, hopefully that continues for a few years to come back.”
The World Cup could also be Kane’s final probability to win silverware with England and he shall be determined to keep up his ranges till then.
