England’s national football team is standing on the threshold of World Cup qualification, with just one win needed to secure their spot in the 2026 tournament set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As Thomas Tuchel’s squad prepares to face Latvia in Riga on Tuesday night, all eyes are on Harry Kane, the prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is expected to return to the starting lineup after a minor injury kept him out of the recent 3-0 victory over Wales.
Kane’s incredible form—18 goals in his last 10 matches—has been a beacon of hope for England fans. Yet, beneath the optimism, there’s a simmering concern: who steps up if Kane is sidelined again? The answer, it seems, is anything but straightforward. With Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Kane’s primary deputy, ruled out of the Latvia clash due to an injury sustained against Wales, England’s options at center-forward are looking thin.
Remarkably, only seven English players considered out-and-out strikers have appeared in the Premier League this season. Among them, Chelsea’s Liam Delap stands out as the only one under 26, while the rest—Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eddie Nketiah, Dominic Solanke, Watkins, Danny Welbeck, and Callum Wilson—are all seasoned professionals but not exactly the future of England’s attack. The lack of depth at this crucial position hasn’t gone unnoticed. As England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley put it, “We need more centre forwards, we need more orthodox number nines which are capable of scoring goals. We really value that position.” He added, “It is in fashion to play your centre forwards out wide or to play them withdrawn. I think it is something that we need to be aware of, the poacher and the goalscorer and the player that plays on the shoulder and the focal point is something that I value.”
Tuchel’s selection headache is unique: while he enjoys an abundance of talent across the pitch, the race to be Kane’s backup is fiercely contested and, frankly, a bit worrying. BBC Sport recently highlighted five main candidates vying for that coveted role, each bringing their own set of strengths and setbacks.
Ollie Watkins, who scored against Wales before being substituted at halftime, has made 20 appearances for England, netting six goals. Despite a slow start at club level this season—just one goal in 10 games—his performances over the past two campaigns have been instrumental in Aston Villa’s top-six finishes. Watkins’ knack for big moments was on display when he scored the winner in England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands. But with his current injury, he’s out of contention for now.
Then there’s Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United. Rashford’s preferred position has long been a topic of debate, with the player himself favoring the left wing. Still, given England’s striker shortage, his versatility is a real asset. This season, Rashford has three goals in 10 appearances, including a Champions League double against Newcastle. His international record—18 goals in 64 caps—makes him the most prolific scorer in Tuchel’s squad after Kane. Could Rashford be the answer through the middle if England needs a makeshift striker?
Liam Delap, Chelsea’s young forward, is another intriguing prospect. Delap impressed last season with 13 goals for a struggling Ipswich Town, earning a £30 million move to Chelsea. Unfortunately, a hamstring tear just three games into the Premier League season has sidelined him until December, ruling him out of the current and next international camps. Delap has yet to debut for the senior national team but was part of England’s victorious European Under-19 Championship squad in 2022. His time may come, but not just yet.
Dominic Solanke, Tottenham’s record signing, is another name in the mix. Solanke made his England debut back in 2017 but didn’t earn a second cap for another seven years. After a strong season with Bournemouth—21 goals in 42 games—he secured a £55 million move to Spurs and finished as their top scorer last season. However, persistent ankle issues have limited him to just 31 minutes of Premier League action this term, and he hasn’t played since August. Solanke’s injury woes have kept him on the periphery of Tuchel’s plans.
Ivan Toney, now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, is a wild card. Toney was used as an impact substitute at Euro 2024, assisting Kane’s extra-time winner in the last 16 and scoring in the quarter-final shootout. He’s enjoyed a prolific spell abroad, bagging 30 goals in 44 appearances last season and already netting eight in 10 games this campaign. Toney’s last England appearance was a brief cameo in a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June—Tuchel’s only loss as England manager. Despite playing outside Europe’s top leagues, his form could prompt a recall.
Beyond the main contenders, Tuchel has experimented with other options in recent matches. During the Wales game, Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon moved centrally after Watkins’ injury. Gordon has been in fine form, scoring three goals in seven club appearances this season. While not a traditional striker, his adaptability offers Tuchel another potential solution.
Mason Greenwood, meanwhile, is not under consideration. The 23-year-old, on loan at Marseille, is in the process of switching allegiance to Jamaica following legal issues and his departure from Manchester United. Tuchel confirmed in September, “He is not in our thoughts.”
While the senior squad grapples with its striker dilemma, the next generation is already gaining valuable experience. Ethan Wheatley, a 19-year-old Manchester United loanee at Northampton, recently trained with England’s senior team as they prepared for the Wales friendly at Wembley. Wheatley described the experience as “an opportunity for me to learn. It’s obviously the top level of the game and those are all players that you look up to and want to be like in the future so it was good to be around them and hopefully I can kick on and be around them more.”
Wheatley also featured for England Under-20s, coming on as a substitute in their defeat to Switzerland at St. George’s Park. He then made an early appearance for Northampton against Rotherham after an injury to Jack Vale. Reflecting on a whirlwind week, Wheatley said, “I didn’t expect to play so many minutes. I was hoping to come on and put a shift in but obviously I had to go on a bit earlier after Valey’s injury. I was ready to do a job and put everything out there for the team.”
Northampton’s coach, Kevin Nolan, highlighted the need for improvement in basic skills following their defeat to Rotherham, particularly in first and second contacts. Wheatley echoed the sentiment, noting that Rotherham “just dominated that aspect of the game, especially second half.”
As England prepares for their crucial qualifier in Riga, the focus remains on Kane’s fitness and the search for a reliable deputy. The next generation, including players like Wheatley, is watching closely—and perhaps, sooner than later, will be called upon to step into the spotlight.
For now, the Three Lions stand just one victory away from World Cup qualification, but the question of who will lead the line behind Kane remains as pressing as ever.
