‘No brainer’ – Martin Keown questions wait over decision on Tottenham star’s future
By Russell Edge
Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown has questioned why there is such a wait over handing the England armband to Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
The role of England captain has been up in the air following the international retirement of the former holder Wayne Rooney, with manager Gareth Southgate yet to announce the Everton man’s successor.
As a result, the responsibility has been passed between various players throughout the squad, including Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and West Ham’s Joe Hart.
However Keown believes that the decision is a simple one, stating that Kane, who took on the role for games against Scotland and France and will lead the side out against Slovenia on Thursday, should be handed the armband on a full time basis.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (04/10, 19:00), the 43-time-capped ex-professional said: “The team needs to get a bit of direction. Who are the runners and riders, who are the people we can really turn to.
“Kane is a player who is admired throughout Europe, talk of Real Madrid wanting to buy him.
“One of our England centre forwards is wanted by Real Madrid – that’s the level that he’s at.
“Making him the captain, it’s certainly a no brainer.”
The Tottenham man has been in exceptional form for his club this season, having scored 11 goals in nine appearances across all competitions, with seven of those strikes coming in his last three outings.
He has also been in impressive form during England’s last fixtures, with his last four appearances, two of which were with the captain’s armband, seeing him score five goals.
The Three Lions will be hoping he can continue that form into Thursday’s clash, with the squad knowing that a win in either of their last two qualifying matches will secure their place at the World Cup finals in Russia next summer.
In other Tottenham news, a pair of Sky Sports pundits have backed Kane to break this world record.
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