Euro 2020: Shaw insists out-of-form Kane is world’s best striker

ENGLAND defender Luke Shaw has claimed his teammate Harry Kane is better than any striker in world football despite the Tottenham Hotspur star’s struggles at Euro 2020.

The England captain has not had a shot on target in two games against Croatia and Scotland at the tournament and was substituted off in both fixtures.

Kane came into the European Championship on the back of an impressive scoring form for Tottenham, having the most goals (23) and assists (14) in the Premier League.

But he has looked out of sorts at Euro 2020, failing to score as England have looked toothless in attack.

Manchester United left-back Shaw, who made his first appearance at the tournament in Friday night’s 0-0 draw with Scotland, believes England cannot do without Kane
“No concern at all, for me personally I think he is the best striker in the world,” Shaw said when asked if he had any worries about Kane’s form.

“He is a very important part of the team, in fact the most important part. I think whether he has not been at his best or not he is a massive part and a crucial player for us.

“We need him whether his performances are as people expected or not, but this happens in tournament football, you can score a goal at any moment and he is such a crucial player – not just on the pitch but off the pitch, he has got all of our backing and I’m not worried at all.”

However, former England forward Chris Waddle told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that Kane should be dropped.

“Harry Kane is a big talking point. He’s a wonderful footballer, I love watching him but he looks tired, he looks like he’s playing on memory, let’s be honest,” Waddle, who starred for England as they reached the World Cup semi-finals in 1990, said.

“He could probably be better off coming on as an impact sub for half an hour – just give him a rest, he looks really tired.

“Jack Grealish – I know the fans want him to play and I understand why Gareth hasn’t played him – I think now it’s time to put him in and maybe start Marcus Rashford on the other side.”

Former Scotland manager Graeme Souness who is a Liverpool legend, backs Waddle’s view on Kane’s poor form.

“Harry is England’s one player proven to get goals at this level on a regular basis. If that is not happening in this competition, you’re not going very far,” Souness said.

“Go back to the World Cup in Russia, his goals got you where you got to and Harry Kane not performing is a major problem for you. Football ain’t coming home with that, not the way they are playing.

“Harry doesn’t look himself, he looks jaded, he looks tired and this is a guy looking to get a big move this summer. He needs to waken himself up.
He came off in the first game, is he carrying something? He looks a shadow of himself.”

England have scored only one goal in their first two matches, Raheem Sterling’s strike against Croatia in their 1-0 win last weekend.

The Three Lions are almost certain of qualifying for the round of 16 even if they lose their final group match to Czech Republic.