Harry Kane has six goals in his last four games, including a hat-trick against Bournemouth, and has two for England in his last four.
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“England have a team with great potential and are individually very strong”, Del Bosque told a news conference ahead of the game at Alicante’s Jose Rico Perez stadium. Del Bosque, though, does not seem bothered by this supposed contradiction and he does have a point.
The 27-year-old striker has scored three goals for Chelsea this season, and has been criticised for his robust approach. You see the players coming from outside of Spain and we don’t know where the next Messi or the next [Cristiano] Ronaldo is going to come from: “it could be one of those who arrives here from another country looking to make a better life”.
‘I actually voted for him as player of the year last season because I think he was a huge player for Chelsea, ‘ Rooney said.
Jamie Vardy is in wonderful form this term and deserves 30 minutes off the bench through the middle but Kane, who has been better over a longer period and is, I think, a superior footballer, should start. Football is universal. I don’t think a player can compromise a team’s style.
The 22-year-old is likely to link up with Everton attacking midfielder Ross Barkley, who Hodgson predicts has an “incredibly bright” future. Firstly, Pique is regarded as the biggest pro-Barca cheerleader in his team’s rivalry with Real, and enraged fans from the capital city by light-heartedly mocking the collapse of their title challenge during Barca’s trophy celebration party at the end of last season.
And Sterling believes that, while the Three Lions’ spotless record in qualifying is reason to be confident, the real test of their mettle begins on Friday.
Costa’s physical and direct game is quite a contrast to the refined pinball that one witnesses when La Roja take to the field.
Costa has been under scrutiny in Spain amid questions over whether his aggressive style fits in the passing game of Del Bosque’s side.
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The last thing I want to read next Wednesday is that coach Roy Hodgson rested players for one or other of England’s friendlies against Spain and France because he didn’t want to upset their club managers. His work rate and unselfish running for the team can not be doubted and there is more of a case to move the Manchester United player to a slightly deeper role behind the main striker than leaving him out.
