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Harry Kane’s England starting spot at the 2026 World Cup has been questioned by former Liverpool player Dietmar Hamann.
Ex-Germany international Hamann recently went viral for scrutinising the striker’s ability to score in the biggest matches.
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“He wasn't brought in to score a hat trick against Darmstadt,” Hamann wrote in a column, calling out Kane's blanks in important games against Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, and the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid last season.
Hamann added: “He hasn't done that yet. I remain sceptical about the star striker.”
Kane hit back prior the Paris Saint-Germain match on Tuesday night.
He said: “As the striker in the team and the goal scorer in the team, I want to help the team by scoring goals, for sure, but as always, I always feel like my performances are more than just goals, both with and without the ball.
“So, if we get three wins and I don't score, I'll be happy and the coach will be happy so that's the most important thing.”
After Bayern’s 1-0 win over the French side, Hamann was asked on talkSPORT Breakfast what he thought of Kane’s response.
The former Germany midfielder replied: “He’s got to defend himself and it’s his right to.
"I went to the game yesterday and I’ve got to say he was very poor, I don’t think he had a shot on target and he pretty much played the same way yesterday as he did at the Euros for England.
“I think the jury is still out whether he’s got it against the best teams - because he didn’t do it for England.
"I watched him against Ireland last week and he was poor. He played a wonder ball for the penalty but honestly that’s not enough for an England captain.
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“The World Cup is about 18, 19, 20 months away. Will he be the player or the captain to lead the line for England?”
Many Three Lions fans were critical of Kane’s performances during Euro 2024 and questioned whether he was fully fit.
Some even wondered whether Gareth Southgate should have dropped him for an in-form Ollie Watkins.
Despite a seemingly rough time, Kane has netted 64 times in 63 matches for Bayern Munich since his 2023 arrival from Tottenham Hotspur.
He is also the current top scorer in the league with 14 goals.
Kane's first season at Bayern, despite 44 goals, was the club’s first season without a Bundesliga title after 11 straight consecutive campaigns, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen, who were undefeated in the league.
His trophy curse lives on, but if Vincent Kompany can cling onto their current form, they will return to glory.
Bayern sit six points ahead of second place Eintracht Frankfurt in the league while they sit one point behind automatic Champions League round of 16 qualification.
