Harry Kane is leading by example for England, as Gareth Southgate targets World Cup qualification next week.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker has been in sparkling form over the last month, scoring 11 goals in seven games for both club and country.
And as the Three Lions prepare to meet up on Sunday ahead of next week’s qualifiers with Slovenia and Lithuania, Kane’s form has seen him spoken about in comparison with some of the world’s best players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It’s great that we’re taking about him in that company,” said Southgate, who knows that a victory over Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday will be enough to secure England’s place in Russia next summer.
“He’s a different player to both in that he’s an out and out number nine, whereas they are attacking forwards with different skill sets to Harry.
“But in terms of his finishing ability, I can’t see anybody at the moment who is a better finisher.”
Southgate has worked with Kane since 2013, when he was a big part of the U21s squad which successfully qualified for the 2015 Euro Finals.
And having seen the 24-year-old’s attitude to training, development and discipline at close quarters back then and today, he says Kane is one of the best role models for any player, young or old.
“He’s got a real hunger, drive and belief in what he’s doing,” he added.
“It sounds obvious that he wants to be one of the best players in the world, but not every player is committed to being that or has that belief and is prepared to commit his training and lifestyle, but he is.
“It’s great for us to have him in our squad because I think you want players who want to be the very best and are prepared to take that challenge on.”
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