Declan Rice has lauded teammate Harry Kane, declaring that the striker’s goal-scoring prowess could see him become the first Englishman to reach 100 goals.
Kane marked a milestone by scoring his 70th goal for England in the 2-0 win over Albania on Friday, in what was the debut match of Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as manager. The goal came in Kane’s 104th appearance for the national team, further cementing his status as England’s all-time top scorer. Despite some criticism of his performances during last summer’s European Championship, Kane remains a key figure for both club and country, with Tuchel having signed him for Bayern Munich in 2023.
Rice, who plays alongside Kane at international level, praised the 31-year-old’s incredible consistency. “He’s insane,” Rice said. “I’ve seen him train and play for so long, and time and again, he’s bailed us out with goals, whether it’s a hat-trick or a brace. To score 70 goals for England is phenomenal. He’s an unbelievable guy and a fantastic captain. I’m sure he’s aiming for the 100-mark, and I have no doubt he can reach it.”
On a different note, the first goal of Tuchel’s reign came from Rice’s Arsenal teammate, Myles Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old became the youngest player to score on his England debut, a moment that added excitement to the team’s 2-0 win over Albania. Lewis-Skelly’s performance was one of the standout positives from the match, particularly with the potential he has shown at left-back, a position that has long been a challenge for England.
However, Rice urged caution and warned that while Lewis-Skelly’s emergence is encouraging, the competition for spots in the squad remains fierce. “There are so many quality left-backs in this country,” Rice explained. “We can’t forget about Lewis Hall, who’s been outstanding for Newcastle. Then there’s Luke Shaw, who, despite his injury issues, has been phenomenal for England. No one’s place in the team is guaranteed. You have to be at your best every time you come here.”
Rice also emphasized the need to protect the young talent’s development, adding, “Myles is only 18, so we can’t expect him to be the England starter for the next decade immediately. There’s no need to put that kind of pressure on him. Let’s allow him to grow and learn at his own pace.”
