Alan Shearer questions Harry Kane’s sharpness after England’s No 9 squanders gilt-edged chance

A fully-firing Harry Kane would have put England in front during the tetchy first-half of their crunch last-16 Euro 2020 clash with Germany.

That was the view of BBC pundit Alan Shearer, who questioned the mentality of England’s No 9, who squandered a gilt-edged chance in added time at the end of the first half.

After Raheem Sterling pounced on a loose ball inside the German half, the Manchester City star’s driving run was ended on the edge of the area, before the ball broke kindly for Kane.

However, The Tottenham forward took a heavy touch with his left foot as he tried to round Manuel Neuer inside the six-yard box, allowing Mats Hummels to get back and clear the danger. 

It typified a disappointing first half for Kane, who had just nine touches throughout the first forty-five minutes.

Speaking at half-time, former England striker Shearer said: ‘you’re confident Harry Kane sticks it away – Sterling does well, it falls perfectly for Kane – can he stick it away with left foot? 

‘He tries not to, really poor touch, sterling does well to get it there, falls kindly for him, but that’s a sitter – a big, big chance he’s been waiting for.

‘Harry’s got to offer more, there’s talk of him coming deep but look at his movement, he doesn’t move at all, he’s got to try to help the team much more than he’s doing.

‘They’re not helping with the balls up to him but he’s had nine touches in the game so far, he should be screaming if that ball’s not coming in. He got into positions where his movement must be better. Have a go at them when it doesn’t come in.’