Will England Drop the Amazing Harry Kane?

Harry Kane’s 2024–25 campaign at Bayern Munich has been a study in contrasts. On one hand, he racked up an eye-watering 38 goals across all competitions, lifted the Bundesliga trophy, and cemented his place as England’s all-time top scorer. On the other hand, whispers are growing that his recent output relies too heavily on spot-kicks, and that he’s been too quiet in open play.

When a former German midfielder like Dietmar Hamann publicly questions whether Kane “scores enough from open play,” it’s hard to ignore the chatter. Is this simply a pundit overreaction, or could England consider life without their skipper leading the line at the 2026 World Cup?

Strikes Amid Scrutiny

Watching Kane calmly slot away penalty after penalty became almost routine last season. His composure from 12 yards is not effortless; few forwards in history have been so dead-eye from the spot. Yet give him a penalty-free match, and suddenly you wonder where he’s gone. November saw Bayern drift through a patch where Kane barely touched the game outside of the box, and in high-stakes Champions League ties, his influence felt muted. 

Fans point to that glaring miss against Inter Milan as proof that even the best can have an off-day, but a one-off miss in Europe’s premier competition hardly tells the whole story; what concerns critics more is not showing up when the game needs a spark. After all, the Club World Cup opener saw Bayern humiliate Auckland City 10–0 without their talisman getting on the scoresheet.

Kane himself has always insisted his game isn’t built on penalties alone. He highlights his intelligent movement, his ability to drop deep and orchestrate play, and the way he drags defenders out of position. Yet in the past season, you didn’t always see that part of his repertoire at full tilt. Too often, BBC pundits and social media fans have asked, “Where’s Kane when it matters?” Those questions cut deeper when you remember that England still needs that killer instinct in big knockout games, whether in World Cup qualifiers or a run to the semi-finals.

The England Conundrum

On the national stage, Kane remains captain and talisman. Gareth Southgate made him captain in 2018, and his successor, Thomas Tuchel, has shown no sign of stripping the armband away. I mean, who would? He’s arguably the best striker in the world. Yet being the obvious choice doesn’t mean being the right choice. The truth is, England’s supporting cast is stronger than ever. Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins, and even the cheeky flair of Cole Palmer are all clamoring for minutes. Few can boast Kane’s experience, but several can bring fresh energy and a willingness to press high, chase lost causes, and create chaos in the final third.

Hamann has been blunt: England will qualify for the World Cup with or without Kane, but will he lead the line? Could England be better without him? It’s not a question of loyalty or sentiment,  it’s about finding the striker best suited to Tuchel’s vision in 2026. If Kane’s game continues on this penalty-friendly trajectory, might England gamble on a younger, hungrier option that presses harder, runs more, and leaves defenders guessing? 

What Lies Ahead

What if Bayern tweaks their system to suit younger forwards who offer different profiles, players who dart into the channels, who can jink past a man and deliver the unexpected? Then Kane, the archetypal number nine, would have to prove he still belongs in that mold.

Looking to 2026, Kane has time to respond. A renaissance in open-play goals, a few moments of individual brilliance in the Champions League, and a willingness to press from the front could silence the doubters. More importantly, a showcase of his leadership, guiding England through tricky qualifiers and standing tall in tournament games, will remind everyone why he’s worn the Three Lions shirt more times than any other.

But if Kane’s next season plays out in familiar rhythms, spot-kick mastery mixed with too many games fading, the England manager might think it’s time to try someone new. After all, football moves on, and World Cups wait for no one. But, it is just criticism, pundits have gone all out and said quite frankly, weird things on social media, and this might be just one of them. 

We all know how good the former Spurs forward is and how he influences a football game. His ability to fire made him one of Europe’s most feared strikers, and his determination to prove that he’s more than just a penalty box predator. England will be watching, and so will Harry Kane himself.