'There's no one better' - Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke brutally told they're still miles behind Harry Kane in England pecking order as Three Lions legend bemoans 'dearth of talent' among strikers

Shearer believes there is a 'dearth of talent' in attack for England. This is despite Watkins' heroics at Euro 2024, in which he fired the Three Lions to the final by scoring a late winner against the Netherlands, and Tottenham deeming Solanke worthy of a £65 million fee. Kane wasn't at his best for England in the summer but Shearer believes he remains their best attacking option by some distance.

Kane is 31 now and while he doesn't seem intent on retiring any time soon, England will no doubt be looking at who's coming through to succeed him. Watkins is coming off the best season of his career, scoring 27 goals in all competitions, and made an impact when relied upon in Germany. Yet Shearer has raised concerns about how the Three Lions would fare in Kane's absence.

"There's no one better than Harry Kane so if he carries on playing international football, which I don't doubt he will, then it'll be very, very difficult for Watkins or Solanke to push him to one side," the England legend told Betfair.

"It'll probably be more of a bit-part role if Harry gets injured or needs to come off. That'll be the role for Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke until Harry Kane decides it's time to go.

"The thing is, England are not blessed with several great centre forwards. I harp on about this a lot, but when I go back to my time in the Premier League and look at the list of centre forwards then compared to what there is now – and I know the role has changed a bit - but there's a dearth of talent in that No.9 area amongst English players."

Lee Carsley will continue trying to prove he deserves to be England's permanent manager in the upcoming games against Greece (October 10) and Finland (October 13).