Michael Owen, a former England striker, has declared Harry Kane as England's greatest ever striker. Owen's view marks a shift from his earlier belief that elite goal-scoring ability was solely an innate gift, stating that Kane's achievements are a testament to his hard work and dedication.
"The older I get, the more I realise I was wrong about strikers - and Harry Kane is an example of why I have changed my mind," Owen wrote. He elaborated that while some players possess natural gifts like pace or balance, Kane's primary strength is mental. Owen recounted observing Kane's meticulous approach to practice and finishing during a masterclass filming session years ago, concluding that his success was not accidental but a product of self-building.
Owen likened Kane's mentality to that of Alan Shearer, describing it as relentless and obsessive, driven by the conviction that hard work leads to superiority. Despite acknowledging the exceptional talents of players like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, Owen asserted that Kane's ability to consistently deliver in all facets of finishing – left foot, right foot, headers, volleys, and penalties – sets him apart.
"Left foot, right foot, headers, volleys, penalties, first-time finishes, strikes from distance. Whatever you ask of him, he delivers," Owen stated. He highlighted Kane's rare combination of power and accuracy, comparing it to Robbie Fowler. Kane's temperament under pressure is also noted, with Owen expressing unwavering confidence in his ability to take crucial penalties.
Regarding Kane's move to Bayern Munich, Owen expressed reservations, suggesting the striker is capable of competing at a higher level than the Bundesliga, which he described as "very ordinary" beyond Bayern. He posited that Kane would have achieved greater recognition by becoming the Premier League's all-time leading scorer and that clubs like Manchester United or Manchester City would have been more fitting destinations.
Owen's assessment of Kane's career trajectory also includes his own top five England strikers list, with Kane at the top. The list includes Wayne Rooney, Jimmy Greaves, Geoff Hurst, and Gary Lineker.
Ultimately, Owen sees Kane as an example that greatness is not solely determined by innate talent, but by an "elite mindset and the work he puts in," demonstrating that dedication and continuous improvement can forge even the greatest players.