The England hopefuls preparing to face off today in the battle to become Harry Kane's World Cup deputy

England have friendlies against Uruguay and Japan next month as Thomas Tuchel steps up his World Cup preparations ahead of naming his final squad for the summer tournament.

Competition for places is intense in several positions, not least the striking department, where Harry Kane remains an automatic first choice. 

As DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall explains, things are not so clear-cut beyond the Three Lions captain as two key contenders prepare to face off in the Premier League today.

Kane is indispensable

If England are to go on and lift the World Cup this summer, then their trusty skipper’s influence is likely to prove pivotal.

Kane has scored 78 goals in 112 appearances for his country and is the Three Lions’ record scorer.

He has shown remarkable consistency since leaving Spurs and joining Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023.

For club and country this season, Kane has scored an incredible 43 goals in 36 appearances and his ability to breach the world’s best defences is not in doubt.

He was a fixture in the side under Gareth Southgate and enjoys a similarly strong relationship with Tuchel, who he played under at Bayern.

But the real intrigue lies in who Tuchel will pick as back-up options to Kane in the number nine role.

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Ollie Watkins in pole position?

The Aston Villa striker has scored six goals in 20 appearances for the Three Lions and has a proven pedigree in tournament football.

At the European Championships in Germany two summers ago, Watkins stepped off the bench to score a superb last-minute winner in the 2-1 semi-final victory over Holland.

Watkins, 30, has gone on to feature for England since Tuchel took charge in January 2025 but has not enjoyed his most prolific season.

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Heading into today’s home clash with Leeds United, Watkins has hardly set the Premier League alight with just eight goals in 36 appearances this term.

Despite that average return, Watkins has been playing in a Villa side who have been flying high for much of this season as they look to return to the Champions League.

The battle to be Kane’s deputy this summer could be a straight shoot-out between Watkins and a man he will face this afternoon – Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Premier League’s renaissance man

When Calvert-Lewin was handed a three-year deal by last summer, there was plenty of moaning and groaning from Leeds fans.

He had been allowed to leave Everton on a free transfer in July after several years of struggle with fitness and form.

Leeds boss Farke knew taking him was a major gamble, but the 28-year-old Yorkshireman has played some of the best football of his career at Elland Road.

Calvert-Lewin has scored 10 goals for Leeds this season and his exploits have helped them to a run of just two defeats in their last 15 games in all competitions.

That has prompted calls for an England return in a World Cup year for a player who has won 11 caps but not represented the Three Lions since 2021.

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What qualities do Watkins and Calvert-Lewin offer?

Watkins is noted for running in behind and stretching opposition defences with his pace.

He perhaps has an advantage over Calvert-Lewin in that he has already played for England under Tuchel.

Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, provides more of a physical presence with his pressing, hold-up play and willingness to put his head in where it hurts.

Do not overlook the former Sheffield United starlet’s finishing qualities, though.

This season, he has had the coveted knack of being there to put the ball in the net from in and around the six-yard box.

Farke, who has overseen Calvert-Lewin’s dramatic renaissance this season, knows Tuchel well, having worked with him at Borussia Dortmund between 2015 and 2017.

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Farke told DAZN News: “Thomas and I are very close. We worked together at Dortmund when he was first-team manager and I was managing the Under-21s.

“We developed a really good relationship, but also held training sessions together and spoke about players.

“This was a while ago, but in the years since then we’ve stayed close and whenever we see each other it’s always a great pleasure.

“I think that Thomas has a really good chance of leading this England squad to a very successful tournament in the summer.

“There’s no greater motivation for a player than to represent your country at a World Cup.

“Every player should try everything in order to be allowed to have this chance because it’s the greatest honour that you can have.

“But it all depends on performances and Thomas is a manager who likes consistency and quality.

“If you deliver quality performances consistently over a long period of time then you have a chance and it’s the same for Dominic.

“He needs to keep delivering, look after himself and stays fit while continuing to produce goals and assists.

“But it’s also about performances for the team because I know this is what Thomas also values through the relationship I have with him.”

 

Who else is in the mix for a striking berth?

Tammy Abraham could also feature at Villa Park today, having rejoined Villa from Besiktas in a deal worth £18.2million last month.

Abraham scored his first Villa goal in nearly seven years against Newcastle during last weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round 3-1 home defeat.

The 28-year-old has England experience with three goals in 11 appearances, while Brighton veteran Danny Welbeck has been touted as a potential World Cup inclusion.

He is 35 but remains fairly prolific and offers experience and intelligence should England require cover for Kane.

Elsewhere, Dominic Solanke and Ivan Toney are long shots to make the World Cup squad.

Marcus Rashford, who has shown glimpses of his best form on loan at Barcelona this season, is another option but more likely to be used on the left flank rather than a centre forward.

With that in mind, it could be a straight choice between Watkins and Calvert-Lewin to be Kane’s deputy as next month’s friendlies – and indeed the World Cup – come into sharp focus.

 

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