DANNY MURPHY: Why I'm backing Harry Kane to break Peter Shilton's England appearances record as Three Lions striker prepares for 100th cap

DANNY MURPHY: Why I'm backing Harry Kane to break Peter Shilton's England appearances record as Three Lions striker prepares for 100th cap A lot of credit is due to Lee Carsley for Kane looking much better than at Euros I found it refreshing that we saw round pegs in round holes in Dublin on Sat SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday By Danny Murphy Published: 00:20, 8 September 2024 | Updated: 00:20, 8 September 2024 e-mail View comments Harry Kane will win his hundredth England cap this week looking much better than he did at the Euros. Part of that is due to improved physical well-being, but a lot of credit is also due to Lee Carsley who devised a system in Dublin that got the best out of our record goalscorer.

You know the old saying that simplicity is genius? That applied from a footballing point of view last night. If it was the start of Carsley's audition for getting the job full-time, he's done himself no harm. After England's struggles last summer, I found it refreshing that we saw round pegs in round holes.



Harry Kane will win his hundredth England cap this week looking much better than he did at the Euros A lot of credit is due to Lee Carsley who devised a system in Dublin that got the best out of the record goalscorer Kane surpassing Peter Shilton's all-time England caps record of 125 is very looking likely Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify We had a left-footer, Levi Colwill, at left back which gave the team balance. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold played in his club position. Declan Rice was allowed to push forward like he does with Arsenal.

Above all, Kane had players either side of him in Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon, who were prepared to run in behind at pace and pressed like demons, Gordon in particular. Read More Harry Kane admits 'a lot of us fell below par' during Euro 2024 campaign If you are going to build the attack around Kane — as you should because he is our best centre forward — the forward line has to suit him. To capitalise on his strengths, he needs natural wide players and other bodies closer to him, and we saw Rice in particular getting up and even beyond him.

None of that was evident during the Euros. Granted, Kane didn't score against Ireland, but it was a more convincing and positive performance all-round. He would have registered a goal without a brilliant save from keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The experiment of trying to shoehorn a star player out of position should not be repeated. Left-footed Chelsea defender Levi Colwill played at left back which gave the team balance Declan Rice was allowed to push forward like he does with Arsenal and was one of the team's standouts Kane had players either side of him like Bukayo Saka, who were prepared to run in behind Kane would have registered a goal without a brilliant save from keeper Caoimhin Kelleher If Phil Foden is available, consider him as a No 10, which suits him best, not wide on the left. And if that means Jude Bellingham having to drop deeper, so be it.

It isn't always easy to keep things simple, particularly with England where everyone will have their opinions on how to play, so Carsley deserves praise. The runs down the left wing we saw from Gordon is something that should have been utilised for a long time. Read More Roy Keane SAVAGES England for 'awful' second half performance in win over Ireland The important thing is if Kane plays, he has to be the focal point.

Against Ireland, he looked more like the England captain we know. It helped to have players running beyond him when he was dropping in. If he is fit and sharp you pick Kane every time because he is our best goalscorer, even if that means other big names miss out.

Carsley probably identified at the Euros that Kane was isolated. We saw Jack Grealish, Kobbie Mainoo and Rice, in particular, making sure the distances between themselves and Kane weren't too big this time. The midfielders had the chance to push on and support because they knew the full-backs, particularly Alexander-Arnold, could tuck in on occasions, as it is what he is used to doing playing for Liverpool.

Ireland were not the strongest opposition, but I think Kane is set to benefit hugely from Carsley's philosophy, which is to give his players the freedom to do what they are good at. It was simple, but not rigid. If Phil Foden is available, Carsley could consider him as a No 10, which suits him best, not wide on the left Kane admitted on Friday that he was below-par at the Euros.

He also gave Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why, at 31, he should still have years ahead of him at the top. I think surpassing Peter Shilton's all-time England caps record of 125 is very likely. We don't have any strikers — not even Ollie Watkins — with the ability of Kane.

Even when far from his best, Kane shared the Golden Boot at the Euros. I think Carsley's changes hints at more success for the Bayern man. For that alone, the interim has made his case to be permanent.

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