World Cup 2018: England captain Harry Kane
World Cup 2018: England captain Harry Kane says they can win in Russia
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New England captain Harry Kane says the team can win the World Cup in Russia and "anything else is not good enough"
Kane scored 41 objectives in all rivalries last season as Tottenham completed third in the Premier League.
"It's incomprehensible not to dream about lifting the World Cup. It's the greatest rivalry on the planet," said Kane.
"I trust we can win it - anybody can. I can't stay here and say we are not going to win it since we could do.
"It is my attitude and I need to win at all that I do. The players in the group need to too. It merits battling for. I am certain we have all had dreams of lifting it and it is an open door for us.
"We are not top choices but rather you take a gander at this season, nobody would have thought Liverpool getting to the Champions League last. You take a gander at Manchester United back in the Sir Alex Ferguson days, they had a youthful group and ruled the Premier League for quite a long time to come.
"Being youthful isn't a reason - it could be something worth being thankful for. I trust we can and that is the thing that we need to attempt and do. Whatever else isn't adequate."
Britain makes a beeline for Russia on 12 June and faces Tunisia in their opening amusement on 18 June, trailed by matches against Panama and Belgium.
'A meticulous professional'
Kane first captained England in the previous summer's 2-2 World Cup qualifier in Scotland, where he scored a late equalizer, before going ahead to wear the armband on a further three events.
Goads partner Eric Dier and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson have likewise skippered England as of late.
Kane, who has scored 12 objectives in 23 appearances for his nation, was depicted as a "careful expert" by Southgate.
"It is a gigantic day and an extremely glad day," he said. "It is a blessing from heaven. I discovered fourteen days prior when I met Gareth Southgate. We were talking for an hour and he said he needed me to be the commander.
"I have needed to keep it calm for some time now however it is awesome. I topped off proudly and went home and told my family.
"Very little changes, I am somebody who needs to show others how its done on and off the pitch. That is the thing that I will endeavour to do.
"There are some youthful players in the squad who admire players like that. There are some more seasoned players who I can gain from as well."
Southgate, who told the England squad amid a gathering at St George's Park on Monday night, included:
"Harry makes them extraordinary individual characteristics. A standout amongst the most critical things for a commander is that they set the standard consistently.
"He has conviction and exclusive requirements and it is an incredible message for the group to have a commander who has demonstrated that it is conceivable to be truly outstanding on the planet over a reliable timeframe and that has been his drive.
"My inclination is that throughout the most recent year and a half in the camps that he's been with us he has demonstrated that he has the craving to bring that into a group situation and he perceives the significance of carrying others with him."
| England's key World Cup dates | |
|---|---|
| 2 June | v Nigeria (friendly at Wembley) |
| 7 June | v Costa Rica (friendly at Elland Road) |
| 12 June | Squad leaves for Russia |
| 18 June | v Tunisia (opening group game) |
| 24 June | v Panama (second group game) |
| 28 June | v Belgium (final group game) |
Analysis
England manager Gareth Southgate was effectively making a choice from two as World Cup captain - Harry Kane or Jordan Henderson.
Southgate was clearly comfortable with either Tottenham's striker or Henderson, who has captained Liverpool to Saturday's Champions League Final against Real Madrid in Kiev.
In the end, he has gone with 24-year-old Kane and few who have seen him when he has worn the captain's armband for England would argue with the wisdom of that decision.
Kane has shown that he can not only cope with the extra responsibility but thrive upon it, especially when his late equaliser rescued England from a World Cup qualifier defeat in Scotland last June.
He is an undisputed first-choice, will literally lead from the front and has the calm, measured personality on and off the pitch to deal with the unique demands of leading England at a major tournament.
The only question marks expressed have been whether a striker is the best position for a captain - but Southgate has chosen Kane knowing full well it will not stop Henderson from imposing his own force of personality, with or without the armband.
Former England captain Peter Shilton on BBC Radio 5 live
The hardest thing in football is to score goals, why wasn't Gary Lineker a captain? Because basically, he was a goalscorer, his responsibility was to get in that box to score goals and we're putting all that on Harry Kane,
People are talking about him being our lone striker, I don't want to go along with that, Leicester's Jamie Vardy should be up there with him and give him some support.
Having said that, I think being a striker is a big responsibility, it's the ultimate, you've got to get goals and being so young he is the captain as well.
He hasn't been to a World Cup so it is a lot to ask him but he's a strong character but is we asking too much?
At this moment in time, I'd give it to Henderson in midfield - if he's going to be a regular - and let Harry get on with scoring goals.
