Former England striker looks at who the Three Lions' best options are as eventual replacements for Harry Kane

England got a taste of life without Harry Kane during last week's internationals, when the Three Lions skipper missed the visit of Greece due to injury. 

In his place, interim coach Lee Carsley went with a team without a recognised striker, which largely failed as England suffered a shock defeat at Wembley. 

It sparked a conversation about what England's options are both short-term and long-term if Kane isn't available and the names in the frame to deputise for the Bayern Munich man. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN around FUT coins, former England striker Brian Deane thinks right now, there are just two leading candidates in the event Kane is missing. 

Deane said: "At the moment you’ve got Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke. Solanke is a bit different; he’s very mobile, and he’s a physical presence, and Ollie can also run in behind.

"Ollie has shown that he can score in the biggest tournaments, so you certainly wouldn’t write him off as Kane’s replacement as his movement is so good, and Solanke is also a good option, but I’d say maybe a bit easier to pick up because of the size of him and Watkins’ movement being sharper.

"But having those two players are two very good options for when Kane does step aside." 
 

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The decision not to play a striker in the Nations League Clash was a bold one by Carsley, and Deane believes it was a difficult system to play without a focal point. 

Adding: "I know Lee and I think he’s a great coach, but I think that you always need a forward as a figurehead to stretch the opposition and get the team a bit further up.

"I think if you play with that false 9, it gives the midfielders a chance to make that decision for themselves, but it still relies on one of them getting in behind." 

 

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