Life after Kane - are England facing a false nine future?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Life after Kane - are England facing a false nine future? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Harry Kane will be approaching his 37th birthday when the 2030 World Cup comes aroundByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished1 hour ago"It's too early to talk about that," said England captain Harry Kane, when asked if he would still be around for the 2030 World Cup. The striker fielded the question just minutes after the Three Lions had suffered the crushing 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta that denied them a first men's World Cup final since their sole success in 1966.

You could not blame him for swerving a definitive answer, yet it was a pertinent question. After a tournament where England's attack relied almost exclusively on Kane - he has six goals along with Jude Bellingham - what are they going to do when their all-time record goalscorer retires? This is a player who has captained his country ever since former manager Gareth Southgate gave him the armband nine years ago - and has led from the front with 85 goals in 124 appearances.

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Time, though, will eventually catch up with the Bayern Munich forward. England do at least have time for succession planning as, barring injury, Kane will be around for the home Euros in two years' time. But he will be 33 in 10 days' time, and turn 35 shortly after that tournament ends.

Realistically, there is a strong chance Saturday's third-placed play-off against France in Miami for the bronze medal will be the final act of his England World Cup career. He will be nearly 37 by 2030's edition. So what does the future look like for England when he does call time on his international career?

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Liam Delap was tipped to be part of England's World Cup squad before a disappointing first season with ChelseaDoes England boss Thomas Tuchel only really have trust in Kane as it seemed in this World Cup? In their seven matches in North America, he played almost every minute. Kane was only substituted twice, with six minutes left against Panama and one minute remaining in the last-16 tie with Mexico.

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Did this workload take its toll as the tournament progressed? He did not score from open play in three games after his double against DR Congo in the last 32. Ollie Watkins played only six minutes in the whole tournament, when he replaced Kane against Panama, while Ivan Toney got a few minutes at the end of stoppage time in the loss by Argentina.

This might tell us Tuchel did not have full confidence in his options from the bench. Or any other way of playing. England's need to have options to give Kane some rest will become increasingly important.

Toney and Watkins are both 30 themselves, while Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke (28) and Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (29) are the only other strikers to be used by England in the last 12 months.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.