Gary Neville claims Harry Kane's breakthrough season at Tottenham Hotspur proves English players can shine at the highest level – if they are given the right opportunity.
Three Lions coach Neville spoke to TalkSport's Adrian Durham in a wide-ranging interview this evening, with one of the topics discussed being the progress of a number of the country's brightest prospects.
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Kane's scintillating form has seen him score 24 goals in all competitions for Spurs this season and national boss Roy Hodgson has hinted the England Under-21 striker is in line for a senior call up against Lithuania next month.
And former Manchester United hero Neville said: “It’s Roy’s decision, but he has been quoted recently as saying that if he stays fit then he is pretty sure he will be in the next squad.
“You can’t ignore the form he has been in – it’s been a sensational season for him. You always wait when a younger player has a good two month period to see if they dip, but he hasn’t done that now for a long period of time and that’s a credit to him. He’s proved it over a long period of time.”
Although a senior England debut may not be far off for 21-year-old Kane, Neville was quick to add how important playing in the European U21s Championship this summer would be for the youngster long-term.
Neville says Kane's form is 'hard to ignore'
He added: “It helps these young lads when they get tournament experience away from the real spotlight that exists in a World Cup and European Championship with the seniors – though there will be pressure with the U21s.
“It will benefit the first team squad and Roy has been quite forthright that [U21 manager] Gareth Southgate will be able to select anybody he wants for the tournament.”
Although Kane has quickly rocketed into the headlines this season, other English youngsters have been under more scrutiny according to Neville.
“Look at someone like Harry Kane and it’s very interesting. He has come through in a different way to Ross Barkley in that he has almost been able to develop and remove his inconsistencies away from the radar and from the glare,” explained Neville.
“Ross came into Everton when they had a fantastic team last year – he was wonderful and got into the World Cup squad.
Neville has 'no concerns' about Ross Barkley
“All his peaks and troughs were in full view of everybody, and that is the difficulty. You’d like to develop every player in a more measured way, but that’s not the way in which it works.”
After some brilliant performances for the Toffees last season, Barkley, 21, has not quite hit the same highs this term for the Merseyside outfit. But Neville insists that is normal for one so young.
He added: “There is no concern at all about Ross. He is a massive talent and has a fantastic attitude to wanting to play football. It’s just natural when you are a young player to have peaks and troughs.
“You’d like to get them through those periods, and Roberto Martinez [Everton manager] is doing that by bringing him in and out of the team and putting him in different positions.
“Think of Paul Scholes’ and David Beckham’s introductions at Manchester United – it wasn’t always continually playing 50 games. They were dipped in for three games then out for two games over a period of two seasons – that is sensible.
“Harry Kane has been allowed to develop away from the mass media and has just been allowed to grow into the Spurs first team and surprise everybody.”
Henderson has captained Liverpool on several occasions
And Neville insists Kane is just one of a host of young players proving English players can more than hold their own in the Premier League.
He said: “It’s naive to think that people won’t step up to the plate. In the last 12 to 18 months, look at the way Jordan Henderson has emerged as someone who is now wearing the captain’s armband at Liverpool.
“Or the way Raheem Sterling has matured into the player he is. Daniel Sturridge since his move to Liverpool two years ago – he missed out on the Euro 2012 squad but now he is a real top striker.
“Players will always emerge, and from England’s point of view they need to get Premier League experience and get games under their belts to harden up.”
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