Hamann casts doubt on Kane's big-game credentials
Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has sparked debate by claiming the 'jury is out' on England captain Harry Kane at the highest level. Speaking after Kane scored twice in England's 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia, Hamann questioned whether the striker can deliver against elite opposition.
Kane, 32, now has 81 international goals and equalled Gary Lineker's England record for World Cup goals with his 10th in the tournament. He scored 61 times in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich last season, but Hamann remains unconvinced.
On RTE Sport, Hamann said: 'He's scored eight in the group games. He's got two against Tunisia, three against Panama, penalty against Colombia in the round of 16. Out of 10 goals he's got seven or eight in the group stage. The jury's out. I want to see him do it in the last 16 against France, in the last eight against Brazil.'
Hamann downplayed Kane's Bayern record, suggesting other strikers could replicate it. 'When I see him move sometimes, obviously he scores a lot of goals, then again in Munich every centre-forward has scored goals. It doesn't matter if he scores 35 or 25, they're going to win the league.'
He added: 'In tournament football you score on the counter-attack. He won't score on the counter-attack. Because when you play against the best teams sometimes you have to sit back and then go 50-60 yards to score a goal. If Madueke takes off, if Gordon or Rashford take off, he won't be able to keep up.'
While acknowledging Kane's finishing is 'probably the best in the world', Hamann doubts he will get chances against elite nations. 'But does he get in these positions against Germany, against Brazil, against France? I'm not too sure.'
Kane's World Cup goal record
- Russia 2018: Group stage vs Tunisia (2), vs Panama (3); Last 16 vs Colombia
- Qatar 2022: Group stage vs Senegal; Quarter-final vs France
- USA, Canada & Mexico 2026: Group stage vs Croatia (2)
