Thomas Tuchel warned 'predictable' Harry Kane 'can become a problem' for England as ex-Premier League striker explains why Ollie Watkins is 'better fit' to spearhead 2026 World Cup bid

The Tuchel era in England is all set to formally begin on January 1 as the German coach takes charge of the Three Lions on the first day of the new year. The ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach's ultimate goal will be to guide the team to a World Cup win in 2026 in North America and end a 60-year-long wait for silverware.

Ahead of taking up one of the biggest challenges of his managerial career, Tuchel has received a warning from ex-Chelsea and England international forward Chris Sutton over the handling of captain Kane. Sutton mentioned that the German manager should not rely on 'predictable' Kane and instead should entrust Watkins to spearhead the team's attack at the 2026 World Cup.

In his column for the Daily Mail, Sutton wrote: "Kane never runs in behind. That makes him predictable. When he drops deep he's brilliant on the half turn, but you need players to stretch backlines because you don't want to be predictable. Whether it's Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon or Bellingham, you have to have that threat and you have to have it throughout the whole game. When Kane plays, England become predictable because as a defender, you know he's going to drop in and not stretch it the other way.

"Over the next 18 months, I don't think his physicality or athleticism is going to improve. There was a moment in the second half at Wembley on Sunday where a ball was played into the channel and he wasn't ever going to get there. So Tuchel needs to think about whether Kane will be the best guy to lead the line at the World Cup. I'm not so sure he will be."

He added: "I have total respect for him, the way he's carried himself for his whole career. He is a phenomenal goalscorer and finisher. But if you're not creating opportunities for him, then it can become a problem and you need somebody who is less predictable."

Speaking on why he thinks Watkins will be better suited as the team's primary No.9, Sutton added: "If I think about centre backs and who they would rather not play against, Ollie Watkins is less predictable. You don't know whether he's going to stretch you in behind or come to feet. You always have to make defenders think as a striker.

"The one place centre backs don't want to be taken is backwards. Watkins makes those movements, as he did when he came on in the Euros. It seems to be a better fit and a better balance. It will give opposition defenders more to think about if you have a centre forward who plays that way."

The English skipper will now be back in action in club football as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich take on Augsburg in a league clash on Friday.