Graeme Souness claims Harry Kane is 'England's only world class player'

Harry Kane is England's only world class player. That's the view of former Spurs midfielder Graeme Souness, who thinks the striker is in a league of his own.

The proud Scot has a tendency to be rather critical of the England national team, so it was surprising to see him praise the Three Lions on air back in November during the World Cup.

But the Liverpool legend believes Kane is the only England player worthy of the "world class" tag.

The 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner is one goal away from becoming England's all-time record goalscorer, after achieving the same milestone with Spurs against Manchester City on 5 February.

He's performed consistently in front of goal since properly breaking through at Spurs in 2014/15 and has added playmaking to his game in recent years, leading to Souness talking up the skipper as the nation's only elite player in his eyes.

"We touched on it before when he was getting his award about he’s a scorer of all types of goals, but he’s a real football player," he told Sky Sports.

"He can produce the killer pass, he curls things in, he smashes things in, he taps things in, he’s just a top man. He is England’s only world class footballer for me."

However the statement didn't go down too well with some fans, with plenty pointing out that Marcus Rashford is performing exceptionally at the moment.

The Manchester United star has 24 goals in all competitions this season, including 15 in 17 games post-World Cup after notching a brace against Leicester City.

Image: Alamy

John Stones, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka also get mentioned as being worthy of world class status.

One wrote: "I’ll still take Marcus Rashford thanks. If Rashford would have played #9 against France then we’d now be World Champions."

A second said: "Understandably hates united. But Rashford is definitely in them conversations."

A third argued: "Rashford and Saka have to be in the conversation."

A fourth commented: "I’m seeing lots of questions asking if Rashford is the best player in the world right now … and lots of question about should the best teams in Europe build around Jude Bellingham."

A fifth opined: "My favourite England player is Saka and am a Liverpool fan. Think he’s top class. Rashford on current form is world class tbf."

Topics: Graeme Souness, Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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