- Wayne Rooney has made a huge claim about England captain Harry Kane
- He has explained why he regards Kane so highly ahead of this summer’s Euros
- Plymouth job will be the one that makes or breaks Wayne Rooney’s managerial career – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Wayne Rooney believes Harry Kane is the greatest player that England has ever produced.
Kane is set to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, and has 62 goals in 89 international caps since making his debut back in 2015.
Rooney was on the pitch that day when Kane came off the bench to score in a 4-0 win over Lithuania at Wembley, and has watched his fellow striker go from strength to strength in the nine years since.
The Bayern Munich forward went past Rooney’s record of 53 international goals last year, and has also added to his game over the years by dropping deep and creating chances for his team-mates. Having become the complete centre forward, Rooney feels he now deserves to be considered in a league of his own.
Speaking on The Overlap with Gary Neville, brought to you by Sky Bet, Rooney said: ‘I think Harry Kane is an incredible player. The goals he’s scored, the assists and as of the last few years, I would say he’s England’s greatest ever player.
Wayne Rooney (left) believes Harry Kane (right) is England’s greatest ever player
Kane is England’s all-time record goalscorer and will captain the team at this summer’s Euros
Rooney feels Kane has become the complete striker in recent years and is now in a league of his own
‘He’s always professional and he never misses a game, which is a common theme with players like Jude Bellingham, Kane and Phil Foden.’
Rooney’s statement is likely to cause plenty of debate, with some certain to point out that he is yet to win a major trophy in his career – including with England.
Bobby Moore captained England to their only tournament win to date at the 1966 World Cup, with Sir Bobby Charlton also playing a starring role, while Sir Geoff Hurst netted a hat-trick in the final.
Sir Stanley Matthews was the first player to be knighted while still playing football and was the first recipient of the European Footballer of the Year award.
Others will also put Paul Gascoigne in the mix for the ultimate accolade after he lit up Italia ’90 during England’s run to the semi-finals before their heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat by West Germany.
Rooney himself warrants a mention after bursting onto the international scene at Euro 2004 and going on to become the most-capped outfield player for the men’s team and the record goalscorer prior to Kane overtaking him.
Yet Kane did lead Gareth Southgate’s men to the final of the last Euros – the closest England have come to tournament glory since 1966 – and won the Golden Boot three years earlier at the World Cup in Russia.
Bobby Moore led England to their only major tournament win at the 1966 World Cup
Sir Bobby Charlton (left) also played a starring role in that tournament
Paul Gascoigne lit up Italia ’90 before England’s cruel exit on penalties
Kane is still searching for his elusive first trophy, but could strengthen his claim to being England’s greatest player if he can win the Euros off the back of a stunning season at Bayern
He is due to play in his fifth international tournament in the coming weeks, and if England go all the way, Rooney’s argument could become even stronger.
The 30-year-old heads into the tournament off the back of his best-ever goalscoring season, having found the net 44 times in 45 games for Bayern.
He was also England’s leading scorer in qualifying for the Euros, with eight goals in as many games, and continuing his form from the last 12 months could see England finally end their 58 years of hurt.
Wayne Rooney was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet