Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England football team for the first time this evening (Friday) when the Three Lions take on Albania, and the Three Lions boss has been urged to make a major change already ahead of kick-off.
The German will be keen to kickstart his tenure in style in this international break, and the former Chelsea boss has already made his mark on the squad by calling up a handful of players for the very first time, including Newcastle’s Dan Burn.
However, it is not integrating new players that pundit Richard Keys believes that Tuchel needs to strip Harry Kane of captaincy and drop him from his team – despite the striker enjoying a sensational campaign with Bayern Munich.
Keys wrote on X: “New era – so England need a new captain. I’d go (Declan) Rice now – (Jude) Bellingham next. Kane’s race is run. He’s too closely associated with another failed era. I’m not sure I’d even start him but Tuchel will for a few games.”
Kane has scored 32 goals and registered nine assists in 37 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit so far this season, playing a crucial role for Vincent Kompany’s side.
The forward has been a stalwart for England over the years, though his performances at the Euros last summer raised questions as to whether he is the right profile of striker in the team at present. Nevertheless, Kane continued to start under Gareth Southgate, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins being used as an impact substitute towards the latter stages of matches instead.
Tuchel’s arrival is a significant changing of the guard at Wembley Stadium, providing players with the fresh start they may require to be granted the opportunity to make their mark on the international stage.
However, given Kane is still one of the most prolific players in world football, it is hard to envision the 31-year-old being fazed out of the team at a time when England are challenging for silverware.
Speaking earlier this week about how his goalscoring record is potentially being ‘taken for granted’, saying: “People take it for granted and maybe a little bit with England as well. I’ve scored 69 goals and when you score against Albania or Latvia, or these teams, people just expect it so it’s not spoken about so much.
“If I was 25 now and doing what I’m doing, the excitement around me would maybe be a little bit different to what it is now. That’s part of where we are with football. I’ve seen it with some other players as they get into their 30s. Maybe people just get a little bit bored of what you do, but I’m certainly not bored. I’m excited for these games and the games ahead.”
