NafisaEngland’s search for the next striker capable of carrying the goalscoring burden after Harry Kane has suddenly become one of the biggest questions facing Thomas Tuchel.
Kane remains the undisputed focal point of the national team, having established himself as England’s record goalscorer with 87 goals from 123 appearances.
But at 33, the question of what happens when the Bayern Munich striker eventually steps away from international football is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The problem for England is that the obvious alternatives have become harder to identify.
Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins have both moved away from the Premier League for lucrative opportunities in Saudi Arabia, while other options have yet to establish themselves as convincing successors to Kane.
One Leeds United striker has therefore emerged as an increasingly important part of Tuchel’s plans.
His start to the season has certainly strengthened his case, with four goals in six matches putting him among the most productive English forwards at the beginning of the campaign.
Yet his potential involvement against Croatia has already produced a remarkable disagreement.
One prominent pundit believes he should not even be in the England squad.
Another former England striker, however, has offered a completely different assessment — and believes the Leeds man is currently the country’s best alternative to Kane.
The player at the centre of the debate is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Paul Merson delivers brutal Dominic Calvert-Lewin verdict
Calvert-Lewin’s inclusion in Tuchel’s squad has not convinced everyone.
Former Arsenal midfielder and pundit Paul Merson has questioned whether the Leeds striker possesses the quality required to operate at international level, while suggesting that another young forward should be given a clearer pathway into the team.
“[Liam Delap’s] the one that I’d say, at his age, the pathway is there for him,” Merson told talkSPORT.
“I don’t think Calvert-Lewin is the answer. I don’t think he should be anywhere near the England squad. He’s not good enough for the level we want to play at.”
It is a remarkably strong assessment, particularly given Calvert-Lewin’s current form.
The Leeds forward has started the campaign with four goals in six games, giving Tuchel a player who is not merely being selected because of a lack of alternatives.
His recent performances have given him a genuine argument for involvement, even if Merson clearly sees the situation differently.
And there is now another former Leeds striker who believes Calvert-Lewin deserves considerably more credit.
Former Leeds striker backs Calvert-Lewin for England role
Mark Hateley, who represented Leeds in 1996 and earned 32 England caps during his playing career, believes Calvert-Lewin is currently the country’s second-best option behind Kane.
Hateley accepts that replacing a player of Kane’s quality is an almost impossible task, but believes Calvert-Lewin has enough attributes to operate successfully at international level if he can remain fit.
“If he plays, he is. He needs to stay fit. He has all the tools – he’s a confident lad; he can play at that international level. But it is a difficult position for England at the moment,” Hateley, who played for Leeds back in 1996, said.
Hateley also pointed towards Brighton striker Danny Welbeck as another experienced option for Tuchel.
“You’ve got Danny Welbeck – who I still think could make an impression on an England side, without a shadow of a doubt, because he’s still playing at a high level.
“But listen, you’re never going to get anything close to Harry Kane – he’s a one-in-a-generation player. So, all England fans need is Harry to stay fit, you need Calvert-Lewin to stay fit, and I’ll say Danny Welbeck. I can’t see anyone else with that experience to call on.”
The debate also highlights a broader change in what England — and elite football more generally — now expect from a centre-forward.
Hateley believes the emergence of Erling Haaland has helped push the game back towards physically imposing number nines after a period when false nines and smaller forwards became increasingly prominent.
“It shouldn’t concern me, but it’s going full circle again. We went from no strikers, false nines, small strikers – then Erling Haaland arrives on the scene, and we’re back to a big striker, ball over the top, more direct goal opportunities.
“So, we’ve gone from my era, where it was a big centre-forward with a little number ten playing off him, nearly back full circle to that.
“The old number nine disappeared, and now everyone will be looking for centre-forwards who are 6’6″, 6’7″, beasts, energy, strength, everything that ticks the box like Haaland. Every team will want one, because that’s where we’re going: back to the big centre-forward!”
Hateley believes Kane’s game has evolved in a different direction, with the England captain’s ability to participate in build-up play separating him from Haaland’s more physically dominant style.
“Harry is not that big centre-forward that Haaland is. He had a really good early career where he went out on loan and learned how to look after himself in the lower leagues, got booted around, learned what areas to drift into.
“That’s a great education, and he appreciates it. But he’s not that big centre-forward that Haaland is.
“Haaland will touch the ball twice in a game and score two goals, whereas Kane gets involved in the build-up.
“Harry will drop in – don’t get me wrong, he’ll still run in behind, but not as often as he used to. That’s just wisdom and age; that’s where you have other players to do that for you.
“Dropping into that pocket in the middle of the pitch, sometimes for England dropping in just in front of the centre-half in a wider position, switching the ball over the opponent’s full-backs.
“That’s where you need Jude Bellingham to be on top of his game, which he is right now; he’s scoring goals. I can’t wait for him to get his man-strength when he hits 24, 25.
“When I did it, you get that raw energy at 17, 18, 19. Then comes balance – that’s 24, 25, 26. Then 28 to 32, 33 as a striker; that’s your man-strength.”
Leeds United calm over Dominic Calvert-Lewin future
While the England debate continues, there is also a significant development at club level.
Sources indicate that Leeds United remain calm over Calvert-Lewin’s future despite his growing importance to the team and the fact that his current contract at Elland Road has just over 18 months remaining.
The club are understood to have a plan in place regarding potential extension talks, meaning there is currently no indication that Leeds are simply allowing the situation to drift.
For now, Calvert-Lewin’s immediate focus is on England and attempting to strengthen his position in Tuchel’s plans.
His recent goalscoring form has put him into the conversation, while Merson’s criticism has ensured that his potential role against Croatia is already being debated.
But with Kane still leading the way and England searching for a long-term successor, the Leeds striker has an opportunity to make the argument on the pitch.
And beyond the international picture, Leeds will be watching developments closely themselves.
Another of their recent arrivals, Tarik Muharemovic, is also attracting significant attention just a few games into his Elland Road career, with interest reportedly emerging from Barcelona and Inter Milan.
That means the club could soon have two important players attracting serious attention — even as Leeds work to secure their futures.
Nafisa
