The Evolution of the England Striker Position: Insights from Heskey and Rooney

Emile Heskey raises concerns about the future of the England national team’s striking options, particularly in light of Harry Kane’s pivotal role. As Bayern Munich’s Kane stands as the sole recognized striker in Thomas Tuchel’s 25-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, Heskey highlights the team’s heavy reliance on the 32-year-old.

The former Liverpool and Leicester City forward, who earned 62 caps for England between 1999 and 2010, expresses that there was once a clear succession plan for the number nine position. He reflects on a time when emerging strikers seamlessly transitioned into prominent roles, contrasting it with the current situation where such succession appears uncertain. “We had a chain of players who could go from that next level. I came in after [Alan] Shearer, and Rooney followed me, but where do we look now?” Heskey lamented on The Wayne Rooney Show.

This season, the decline of traditional strikers is evident, with only eight English strikers having participated in the Premier League, and 22-year-old Liam Delap of Chelsea being the only one under 26. Despite a commendable performance at Euro 2024, where Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins served effectively as Kane’s deputy, he has been rested for the current squad due to ongoing fitness concerns.

Rooney suggests that with the current state of affairs, it may be prudent to limit Kane’s appearances until the World Cup, emphasizing, “We know what he can do.”

Both Heskey and Rooney observe a global trend away from the traditional number nine role. Rooney notes, “If you look worldwide, there aren’t many number nines, so it is not just England. Everyone aspires to emulate players like Mo Salah or Lionel Messi, and modern forwards often see less of the ball.”

Heskey reflects on how the role of forwards has transformed over the years. He cites that previous forwards were expected to engage in various aspects of play, including chasing down loose balls and competing for flick-ons, whereas current wingers and midfielders take on these responsibilities more frequently.

As the landscape of football continues to evolve, the conversation surrounding the future of strikers in England becomes increasingly pressing.