"England Hopes for Harry Kane's Spark as Worrying Alternatives Surface for World Cup 2030"

HARRY KANE says he will see how he feels as to whether he will play another World Cup – and we better pray his verdict is one of wanting to continue.

Because the lack of firepower coming up behind the legend is frankly terrifying.

Harry Kane would not confirm last night that he would play at World Cup 2030 – when he will be nearly 37 Credit: Getty Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, England’s alternatives to Kane at this World Cup, will also be in their mid 30s in four years’ time Credit: AFP

turns 33 later this month and his back-ups here in the States are not much younger.

will be 31 in December and the same age in March.

If you are looking for a younger alternative at No9, the best currently available under the age of 28 is .

And he has just endured a nightmare first campaign at where he scored just one Premier League goal all season in 28 appearances.

, sparked by two assists from 39-year-old , Kane was asked whether it would be his last World Cup.

Our record-scorer replied: “It’s too early to talk about that. I mean, as a person, it’s always just about taking it year by year and how I feel.

“The national team is my pride and joy. It’s what I love to do most, more than anything.

“Obviously, four years is a long way away. I’m 33 in the summer, but as you saw on the other end with Messi there, he’s still performing at the highest level.

Liam Delap is England’s best option under the age of 28 but just had a difficult first year at Chelsea Credit: Getty

“So yeah, I never want to put a limit on these things. I’ll address every situation as they come, but for now it’s just about processing another tough loss with this team.”

The lack of succession planning for when Kane hangs up his international boots has become a real problem.

Part of the issue is there is a dearth of centre-forwards emerging across the game, despite Kane, and being global superstars.

England did have one coming through their youth ranks in .

just before the 2023 Under-21 Euros which England ended up winning with playing through the middle as a false nine.

Looking at the Young Lions right now, there are no obvious candidates to take the mantle going forward.

‘s Divin Mubama is 21 and managed just five goals on loan at Stoke last season in 26 Championship appearances.

Tyrique George will hope for a breakout campaign at Everton this year but really he is more of a winger.

England might rue losing Folarin Balogun – who scored three goals at the World Cup – to the USA Credit: Getty Dominic Calvert-Lewin was left at home and he, too, will be the wrong side of 30 at the next World Cup Credit: PA Man City’s Divin Mubama is only 21 but managed just five goals on loan in the Championship last season Credit: Getty

Then there are the strikers who came close to making the squad this time but ended up being left behind by .

They are the two Dominics, Calvert-Lewin and Solanke, but neither look good enough now to be England’s starting striker, let alone in a few years when they will be the wrong side of 30 too.

So without any obvious other option, England look like they will be depending on Kane not only for the next Euros, when he will be 34 turning 35.

But the 2030 World Cup too when he will be 36 going on 37.

Kane failed to have much of an impact in in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta.

But overall he still had a strong tournament, scoring six goals which saw him become our most prolific player ever at a major tournament.

The Bayern Munich superstar now has a staggering 84 goals in 121 games.

Questions may be somewhat justifiably asked about how many times he has excelled in the biggest game throughout his career, with Argentina another underwhelming display in a massive match.

But he is still a national treasure who should be cherished, not only for what he has done so far but also for how much we still need him going forward.