Graham Ruthven: “With Kane playing like this, everyone around him is better”

IT was impossible for the eye not to be drawn to Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling as they darted around the Stadio Olimpico pitch like fireworks escaping into the night sky. Indeed, it was England’s wide men who were the flourish on a performance that sent Gareth Southgate’s side into the final four of Euro 2020 with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Ukraine.

Harry Kane, though, was the one who made the biggest difference. Having faced criticism for a series of underwhelming displays earlier in the tournament, the 27-year-old was back to his best for the quarter-final tie, bagging a brace as England played with the sort of attacking zest and verve fans have called for. 

Many others impressed as Ukraine were swept aside. Luke Shaw proved himself as one of the best full backs in the game right now with two exceptional assists, Harry Maguire was solid at the back and played a key role in playing out from defence while Mason Mount led the high press from midfield. The tone, however, was set by Kane.

As the apex of the frontline, Gareth Southgate’s attack was built to get the best out of Kane in Rome. All roads led to the 27-year-old who appeared much sharper than had been the case against Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic in the group stage. England’s front three were fluid and interchanged throughout, but their movement revolved around Kane.

Of course, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that having a goalscorer of Kane’s calibre fit and firing again improved England. While Southgate has options in attack, he doesn’t have another centre forward like the Tottenham Hotspur man who is both a penalty box poacher and a final third facilitator.

Harry Kane (2), Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson score to send England through to the #EURO2020 semi-finals #PL #ENGUKR pic.twitter.com/X0q5g3JqMF

— Premier League (@premierleague) July 3, 2021

There were still signs of Kane dropping deep to pick up the ball and spin it forward, but this didn’t come at the cost of his ability to get into the final third to convert opportunities. In fact, Kane’s willingness to move wherever he could receive possession unsettled the Ukraine defence and opened up more space for himself to exploit.

With Kane in this form, England are a different team. They have purpose. In the group stage, Southgate’s approached verged on aimless, as if the intent was purely to make it through 90 minutes without sustaining any damage. Kane, however, is all about causing damage to the opposition.

Spain are the prime example of how a team without a world class centre forward can lack in purpose. Luis Enrique’s side have played some exceptional football at Euro 2020 and deserve their place in the semi finals, but frequently need three or four golden opportunities to find the back of the net. This isn’t sustainable.

Southgate has managed his squad better than any other manager at Euro 2020, rotating his wingers and attacking midfielders from game-to-game. Kane, however, has started all five matches England have played at the tournament, hinting at his importance to the whole operation. 

When Southgate faced widespread calls to drop a potentially unfit Kane in the group stage for Marcus Rashford or even Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he stood by his captain. He knew just how badly England would need their number nine in the latter rounds and was willing to play Kane into form. 

Kane, with three goals against Germany and Ukraine under his belt, is now in top form and that could make all the difference for England as they head into the final four. It’s not just about the goals the 27-year-old provides. With Kane playing like this, everyone around him is better. And England might just be the best.