adminLONDON. – Striker Harry Kane will captain England at the 2018 World Cup this summer – becoming the youngest player ever to lead the Three Lions at a major football tournament.
The Tottenham man, who scored 30 English Premier League goals this season, has worn the armband on six previous occasions and has now been chosen by Gareth Southgate to captain the side in Russia.
Kane has been chosen ahead of Jordan Henderson, despite the Liverpool captain leading his side to the Champions League final this season.
“Harry has some outstanding personal qualities,” Southgate said upon revealing the news yesterday morning.
“He is a meticulous professional and one of the most important things for a captain is that they set the standard every day. I think he is the one who is ready to take that challenge on.
“It’s a fantastic honour for Harry, and it’s well deserved. He’s got outstanding leadership qualities. He’s prepared to challenge people, and now is the moment in his life where he’s prepared and wants to bring that into the team environment.”
Kane, at the age of 24, becomes the youngest man ever to captain England at a major tournament – overtaking Bobby Moore’s record of 25 at the 1966 World Cup. Kane also had his say yesterday, describing the news as an “amazing honour” as he stood alongside Southgate at St George’s Park.
“You always dream of playing for England growing up, and to be named captain is a little bit more,” he said.
“I’m excited, I can’t wait for the World Cup, and to be leading the lads out will be special. For me, nothing changes, I’m the same person, same player, and we want to do as well as we can and go as far as we can.”
Last week, former England midfielder Frank Lampard led the calls for Kane to be named captain, despite Henderson having had the role more regularly. “He is our superstar in terms of everyone in the world being aware of what he has achieved in two or three years,” Lampard told BT Sport.
“He has produced numbers to rival the top players in the world and is probably the one absolute star in our team in every game.’’ – AFP.
Online Reporter