Former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder, Graeme Souness, has put forth the idea that England should consider a significant tactical shift by starting Ollie Watkins over Harry Kane in today’s Euro 2024 final.
Although Kane has historically been England’s key player and has scored three goals in the tournament, his performances in Germany this summer have not met his usual high standards.
Gareth Southgate has occasionally substituted Kane during matches but has yet to leave him out of the starting lineup entirely, despite strong alternatives on the bench.
Watkins made a strong case for his inclusion with his crucial goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands, and Ivan Toney also presents a viable option.
Souness is advocating for Watkins, who he believes brings a different dynamic to the pitch compared to Kane, to lead the line against Spain in Berlin.
He told the Daily Mail, “Gareth Southgate faces the biggest football decision of his life on Saturday: whether to drop Harry Kane. If he gets it right, it is a decision that will make Gareth a national hero and, on current evidence, I’d say you have to leave Harry out. I’ve been one of Harry’s greatest supporters.
“He is a fantastic goalscorer, who has shown terrific ability at Tottenham, Bayern Munich and for England but this tournament he has looked like he is towing a caravan around the football pitch. The introduction of Ollie Watkins against the Netherlands enlivened the team. Park the fact he scored a wonderful goal, his contribution changed England as an attacking threat.
“Gareth has been fiercely loyal to Harry, often with good reason as he has been a matchwinner on many occasions, and as I’ve said before I wouldn’t like to begin to second guess what England’s manager does next, but he has to seriously consider this change.”
Throughout the tournament, Southgate has mostly relied on a core group of players, including Kane, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka, who have all started in England’s six matches and are expected to retain their spots today.
“I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks,” Watkins admitted after scoring his decisive 90th-minute goal against the Dutch.
However, despite calls for a change at the top, Southgate seems inclined to stick with his tried-and-true lineup.
