Why Southgate appointing £100,000-a-week Tottenham star as England captain could work wonders at the World Cup

England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that £100,000-a-week Tottenham superstar Harry Kane will Captain England at the World Cup this summer in Russia. The news, as expected has brought mixed opinions from everywhere.

Some may say a striker being a leader doesn’t convey the right attitude as Kane represents a type of player who can at times be “egocentric”, while others say he is a prime example to follow for the players.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Kane is a national treasure in England and considered as one of the best strikers in Europe. So in that accordance, having him as the leader on the field helps others.

Southgate’s statement regarding this was relatively similar too. He explained to the media about Kane can influence the performance of his teammates by being an example on the field.

He also believed the standards set by the striker are incredibly high, which will eventually raise the team’s performance bar over the course of the tournament.

Under the current manager, the captaincy role has been rotated in qualifiers and friendlies. Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier along with Harry Kane were handed the armbands at one time or the other.

A permanent appointment before the big event was a necessity. There were talks of Henderson getting the captaincy on the basis of how well he has led Liverpool towards a potential Champions League success.

However, Southgate had other ideas and may just prove to be fantastic for the country. Despite being a bit selfish and that has to be the case when you are a sole striker, Kane’s team play should not be neglected.

He can play as a No.10 too if needed, in order to accommodate Jamie Vardy up top if the team yearns for it.

There will inevitably be two-way discussions to whatever decision is taken at the highest level in this game. So, England fans must not dwell in those situations and must back the calls taken by their manager.

Kane is England’s best player, notwithstanding the fact that he has looked a bit unfit/jaded in the latter part of his club season.

If we look at the bigger picture, this may just be a correct and sensible decision by Southgate. It can galvanise a young side gearing up to do well on the world stage.

If somehow, Kane manages to lead his team in the right way, you never know, this young England squad might indeed become the giant-killers.

On the whole, a call taken with assured calmness by the manager which will surely succeed in Russia.