The stress is on England subsequent summer time. The Three Lions’ golden era – and there is no escaping that they’re precisely that – have fallen on the final hurdle one too many occasions and 2026 have to be completely different. This time, there is no Gareth Southgate and there is no excuses.
With a supervisor who has been a Champions League winner at membership degree and solely left Bayern Munich in 2024 in cost within the type of Thomas Tuchel, England ought to have the right bundle to finish 60 years of damage. The ladies’s aspect already introduced soccer residence on the European stage. Now, the boys’s aspect should observe swimsuit and hand it a everlasting place.
This is not the primary golden era to be burdened with stress, nevertheless. Earlier than Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Declan Rice, there was Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Frank Lampard. There was Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole. The checklist might go on. It could not have been a extra gifted squad if England tried, but they got here away with out glory.
They continue to be a few of the greatest gamers to ever play for England, however Gary Neville admitted that the squad by no means did sufficient to earn the ‘golden era’ label, saying in 2010: “There are a number of new gamers within the squad now added to the remnants of the so-called ‘Golden Technology’ gamers.
“However, to be trustworthy, the ‘Golden Technology’ wasn’t very golden from the place I used to be sat within the England squad. We did not win any tournaments or do ourselves justice. You get referred to as a golden era whenever you win issues.”
It’s maybe why the Manchester United legend selected to snub the likes of Rooney when just lately claiming who he believes is England’s biggest ever participant.
Neville: Kane is “biggest England participant ever”
Regardless of the aforementioned legends that he performed alongside, Neville named Harry Kane because the “biggest England participant ever” final summer time. The present Bayern Munich star earned Neville’s reward forward of Rooney, who he has lengthy overtaken to turn into the nation’s prime goalscorer.
“I spoke to Wayne Rooney 4 or 5 weeks in the past earlier than the match began and he mentioned Harry Kane is the best England participant ever. That’s huge reward from somebody who has been across the block with England in Rooney.
“I would not combat to disagree with him both. Harry Kane has been completely sensational.”
It is tough to disagree with that verdict. Kane could not have a trophy to his identify at worldwide degree, but it surely hasn’t been for the need of attempting. The Tottenham Hotspur legend has each a World Cup Golden Boot and Euro Golden Boot to his identify and stands clear because the Three Lions’ prime goalscorer.
England prime scorers | Objectives |
|---|---|
Harry Kane | 73 |
Wayne Rooney | 53 |
Sir Bobby Charlton | 49 |
Gary Lineker | 48 |
Jimmy Greaves | 44 |
At 32 years outdated, Kane has proven no indicators of slowing down at Bayern Munich and has the prospect to steer England to glory at subsequent summer time’s World Cup. After ending his watch for a trophy at membership degree, the enduring ahead now has the prospect to finish a 60-year watch for your entire nation.
