Harry Kane is set to equal England’s appearance record when he wins his 125th cap against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, with the striker also looking to build on his burgeoning partnership with “scary” Jude Bellingham.
Kane will draw level with former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton at the top of the appearance list if he features in the Nations League clash at Wembley.
The England captain’s pride in representing his country has been evident since making his international debut against Lithuania in 2015.
Kane marked that debut by scoring within two minutes of coming off the bench and has rarely endured a barren spell in an England shirt since.
The 33-year-old is already England’s record goalscorer with 89 goals after scoring twice in Saturday’s 7-0 demolition of Croatia.
The Bayern Munich striker has been England’s talisman and the one constant through the team’s highs and lows over the past 11 years.
Kane made his England debut under Roy Hodgson and has since played under Sam Allardyce, Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley and now Thomas Tuchel.
Yet even a striker with Kane’s predatory instincts and remarkable consistency has been unable to end England’s agonising wait for a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
England lost the European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024, and for Kane to emulate Bobby Moore as the only male England captain to lift a major trophy, Tuchel believes he will need the support of a midfielder whose virtuoso display against Croatia on Saturday earned widespread praise.
In danger of missing out on the World Cup after being dropped from the England squad in October 2025, Real Madrid star Bellingham has gone from Tuchel’s doghouse to the penthouse over the past year.
After initially frustrating Tuchel with his volatile on-field behaviour, Bellingham regained his place in time for the World Cup in June and July.
It was Bellingham, rather than Kane, who finished as England’s leading scorer at the tournament, although their campaign ended in semi-final heartbreak against Argentina.
‘Never seen anything like it’
Tuchel’s defensive tactics in the closing stages of that defeat were widely criticised.
But he has learned from that late collapse and wants England to remain on the front foot, with Kane and Bellingham leading the attack.
England’s hopes of winning Euro 2028 could depend in part on Kane staying fit and Bellingham maintaining the kind of dominant form that inspired the rout of Croatia.
The 23-year-old was outstanding in Rijeka, scoring once and providing three assists, prompting former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane to predict that he could become “one of the greatest players of all time”.
“At this moment in time, he is an amazing footballer. The package, his running power, his delivery, his goal threat,” Keane said.
Keane’s assessment was echoed by Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who made his first England start alongside Bellingham and Elliot Anderson against Croatia.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Scott said.
“He’s even better in person, seeing it up close and being on the same pitch as him. He’s the best midfielder in the world.
“On the pitch, his ability is scary and that’s the benchmark we need to live up to.”
England winger Bukayo Saka added: “He was special. I’m happy to play with him and happy to have him in the England team.”
Tuchel said Kane’s relationship with Bellingham had blossomed on and off the pitch in recent months, helping create a potent partnership capable of producing goals and chances.
Fittingly, it was Bellingham who took the captain’s armband from Kane when the striker was substituted late in the Croatia match.
“They get better and better. They love playing with each other. They understand each other better,” Tuchel said.
“We adjusted our positioning a little bit after the World Cup. Jude almost plays a little bit more offensive for us. That’s where I see him in the most dangerous position.”
AFP
