Is Harry Kane England’s greatest ever player? Wayne Rooney gives record-breaking 62-goal striker huge billing while also making big Jude Bellingham claim

The Three Lions have seen a number of iconic figures pull on a famous white jersey down the years – with that roll of honour including the likes of Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Paul Gascoigne, David Beckham, Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

Kane is captain of his country in 2024 and boasts a tally of international goals that no fellow countryman can match. He is still waiting on major honours, with England’s barren run stretching back to 1966, but former skipper Rooney has told The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet: “I think Harry Kane is an incredible player. The goals he’s scored, the assists and as of the last few years, I would say he’s England’s greatest ever player. He’s always professional and he never misses a game, which is a common theme with players like Jude Bellingham, Kane and Phil Foden.”

Bellingham is another superstar performer in England’s ranks at present, with the Real Madrid midfielder considered to be captain material. Rooney added on the enigmatic 20-year-old, who is in Ballon d’Or contention for 2024: “I played against Jude Bellingham when he was 16. I was at Derby and he was at Birmingham. He man marked me; I was playing deep in midfield controlling the game and he man marked me. I kept dragging him outside and he didn’t like it. What I love about him is that when he goes in for a tackle, he leaves a mark, a bit like I would. I remember after the game thinking he would go far, but I never expected where he is now. Jude is a player who wants it, has the mentality, and wants to play every minute of every game. I think a great example to any young player or older player is if you watch the Manchester City vs Real Madrid game at the Etihad Stadium. You can see how hard Jude worked for the 120 minutes; he was incredible. The work rate he put into that game was incredible. I always believe if you put the work in you will get the rewards and I think he is a future England captain.”

Bellingham has a Champions League final outing with Real to come on Saturday, having already landed the Liga title this season, and will join up with Kane and Co in the England squad after that as Gareth Southgate readies his troops for a continental glory bid at Euro 2024.