Pennant: Kane Can No Longer Support the Drop-Back Playstyle and Should Instead Focus on Scoring Like Haaland

Pennant expressed his views on Kane during a segment called GameDay Phone-In. He believes that Kane is finding it difficult to continue evolving and suggests that Kane should learn from Haaland’s approach, stop dropping back, and focus more on finishing in front of goal.

In the Nations League match, England defeated Ireland 2-0 away from home. Rice and Grealish scored for England, while Kane once again became the “nobody” in the game. Pennant believes that the reason Kane cannot score is that he is unable to penetrate the opponent’s penalty area like a traditional striker. He said, “He drops back too deep. I don’t think this is what the coach asks of him. If you look at how he has played over the years, that’s just what he likes to do. He likes to drop back to receive the ball, likes to touch the ball. He likes to be involved from the start of the attack, which takes him away from the penalty area. The current Kane is not the same as before, he can’t do as much running, he can’t be as sharp as he used to be. He should learn from Haaland’s playing style.”

Subsequently, Pennant suggested that Watkins could be a key player for England to develop: “In two more years, he will be 33, he won’t get any sharper, his abilities will only decline slowly. Kane is a legend, a prolific goalscorer, and an excellent captain, I’m not saying he’s bad. Watkins is faster, more sensitive in front of goal, has his own rhythm, we need players like him. You rarely see Watkins run out of the penalty area to receive the ball.”