In a stronger England era â with more world-class players around him like the Manchester United legend had in 1966 â Kane would not only have a chance of matching Charlton. He would be in a better position to eclipse him.
Given his form and status, the World Cup should be in Kaneâs sights. If the vote for the Ballon dâOr was being held right now, Kane would be the worthy winner, his heroics for England against DR Congo absorbing his 72nd goal of this season. Only Lionel Messi has recently hit those kinds of numbers. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo was so prolific in one campaign.
Wednesdayâs match also marked the 91st time Kane had captained England, surpassing Mooreâs tally.
Until he joined Bayern Munich, the biggest obstacle to Kane winning the biggest prizes in football was the team he played for. All those years when he suffered the jibes for never winning anything had nothing to do with his ability.
Right now, Kane must think playing for England is similar to playing for Tottenham Hotspur, when he knew that no matter how many he scored, or how close he was to a 10/10 individual performance, he would miss out on winnersâ medals. The rest of the team was nowhere near good enough.
The difference is he could leave Spurs for Bayern and join a club more likely to match his abilities and ambitions.
After scraping into the round of 16, we must be realistic and accept that our chances of winning the World Cup are remote. With Kane in such form, there is still the slimmest hope. Without him, we would be flying home already.
Based on the past 12 months, Kane should win the Ballon dâOr. Unfortunately, he probably wonât because in a World Cup year it is bound to go to the star player of the winning nation. Much as I want to believe England can still win it, there is nothing to support that opinion, especially after recent performances.
If Argentina retain the cup, Messi will win the Ballon dâOr. If France win the competition, one of their key men will get it. Kaneâs Bayern team-mate Michael Olise is a strong contender, and even though by Kylian MbappĂ©âs standards he has had a frustrating year with his club, that will be forgotten when judged against his fantastic World Cup displays.
Another of the Paris St-Germain stars might be celebrating a personal accolade, even though their Champions League win felt more of a team effort than the consequence of one outstanding contribution. Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© has enjoyed another fantastic season. Kaneâs goal output is beyond them all.
He is performing at the same level as Franceâs best and Messi, going toe-to-toe in the Golden Boot race.
That is why Bellingham is correct to start the conversation about where Kane ranks, even though most judges will say he needs to win his next four games in an England shirt to make it on to Charltonâs pedestal.
If by some miracle England do go on to win the World Cup this month, given the context and the influence on this generation, what player will have done more for our country in dragging what looks like an average team to the ultimate heights?
That he is still producing his best 11 years after his England debut is freakishly good.
Two years ago, Kane was subbed during the Euro 2024 final and it was the right decision by Gareth Southgate. It did not feel like the end of his international career, but the beginning of the end.
If Tuchel leads England to a position from which he gets the chance to lead us into the European Championship, we must hope he has already learnt his most valuable lesson: never leave your most talented game-changers at home.
When the clock was ticking, Tuchel must have wished he had better options on his bench. Everyone watching did. The longer this tournament has progressed, the more his squad has resembled those picked by Graham Taylor in the early 1990s: full of workmanlike, solid professionals who could do a job week in, week out in the English league, but lacking the stardust that defines matches on the biggest stage.
Kane is obviously an exception. Sadly, as was written after the group stage, relying on him or Bellingham is unsustainable.
The argument can rage as to whether the captain is Englandâs greatest footballer. When it comes to determining who possessed most self-belief and ability to bend a match to his will, there is no debate at all.
Given his form and status, the World Cup should be in Kaneâs sights. If the vote for the Ballon dâOr was being held right now, Kane would be the worthy winner, his heroics for England against DR Congo absorbing his 72nd goal of this season. Only Lionel Messi has recently hit those kinds of numbers. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo was so prolific in one campaign.
Wednesdayâs match also marked the 91st time Kane had captained England, surpassing Mooreâs tally.
Until he joined Bayern Munich, the biggest obstacle to Kane winning the biggest prizes in football was the team he played for. All those years when he suffered the jibes for never winning anything had nothing to do with his ability.
Right now, Kane must think playing for England is similar to playing for Tottenham Hotspur, when he knew that no matter how many he scored, or how close he was to a 10/10 individual performance, he would miss out on winnersâ medals. The rest of the team was nowhere near good enough.
The difference is he could leave Spurs for Bayern and join a club more likely to match his abilities and ambitions.
After scraping into the round of 16, we must be realistic and accept that our chances of winning the World Cup are remote. With Kane in such form, there is still the slimmest hope. Without him, we would be flying home already.
Based on the past 12 months, Kane should win the Ballon dâOr. Unfortunately, he probably wonât because in a World Cup year it is bound to go to the star player of the winning nation. Much as I want to believe England can still win it, there is nothing to support that opinion, especially after recent performances.
If Argentina retain the cup, Messi will win the Ballon dâOr. If France win the competition, one of their key men will get it. Kaneâs Bayern team-mate Michael Olise is a strong contender, and even though by Kylian MbappĂ©âs standards he has had a frustrating year with his club, that will be forgotten when judged against his fantastic World Cup displays.
Another of the Paris St-Germain stars might be celebrating a personal accolade, even though their Champions League win felt more of a team effort than the consequence of one outstanding contribution. Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© has enjoyed another fantastic season. Kaneâs goal output is beyond them all.
He is performing at the same level as Franceâs best and Messi, going toe-to-toe in the Golden Boot race.
That is why Bellingham is correct to start the conversation about where Kane ranks, even though most judges will say he needs to win his next four games in an England shirt to make it on to Charltonâs pedestal.
If by some miracle England do go on to win the World Cup this month, given the context and the influence on this generation, what player will have done more for our country in dragging what looks like an average team to the ultimate heights?
That he is still producing his best 11 years after his England debut is freakishly good.
Two years ago, Kane was subbed during the Euro 2024 final and it was the right decision by Gareth Southgate. It did not feel like the end of his international career, but the beginning of the end.
If Tuchel leads England to a position from which he gets the chance to lead us into the European Championship, we must hope he has already learnt his most valuable lesson: never leave your most talented game-changers at home.
When the clock was ticking, Tuchel must have wished he had better options on his bench. Everyone watching did. The longer this tournament has progressed, the more his squad has resembled those picked by Graham Taylor in the early 1990s: full of workmanlike, solid professionals who could do a job week in, week out in the English league, but lacking the stardust that defines matches on the biggest stage.
Kane is obviously an exception. Sadly, as was written after the group stage, relying on him or Bellingham is unsustainable.
The argument can rage as to whether the captain is Englandâs greatest footballer. When it comes to determining who possessed most self-belief and ability to bend a match to his will, there is no debate at all.
