Former England striker Chris Sutton has said that Harry Kane is indeed the best centre forward in the world but that Tottenham team mate Dele Alli is being outshone by Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling on the international stage.
The Spurs duo both started in the Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat at home to Spain on Saturday while the City man was missing after pulling out of international duty due to injury.
Speaking on the 606 programme on BBC 5 Live, Sutton was questioned as to if Kane was the best number nine in world football today, and if Dele had what it took to be England’s version of Gareth Bale.
He said: “Do I think he’s the best number nine in the world? Yes. He needs service.
“(Can Dele Alli be their Bale?) Dele Alli can improve – what I do think is Raheem Sterling, who’s a player who divides opinion at international level, (is good enough). He had a brilliant season last season, give him time.”
Should @rubey_lcheek & @PhilFoden be starting for England? ???????@chris_sutton73 says the Three Lions midfield is "a big worry" for Gareth Southgate ?#BBC606 pic.twitter.com/6fdBoiTBqF
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) September 9, 2018
Opinion
It is hard not to agree with Sutton about the Spurs pair, although there are still some doubts over whether Kane really is the number one centre forward in world football right now. His record is sensational but is he a game changing talent like Antoine Griezmann can be or as clinical as Sergio Aguero, and should Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo be included in the debate? As for Alli, he is never going to be the Bale figure for Tottenham or England, for he is far too mercurial and not consistent enough. Bale is the whole package – strong, lightning fast and with incredible technique. Alli is young but it is clear to see he does not, and will not, possess the same attributes as the Welsh wizard. It is hard to back Sutton up on the suggestion Sterling can take that role too, for the City man is again too different in his style of play. Bale is one of a kind, but England could do with a player of his calibre to flip a game on its head.