England's centre-forward options - ranked

There was a time when England possessed an absolute embarrassment of riches in the centre-forward department.

Nowadays, the pool of strikers at their disposal isn't as deep as it once was, but that's not to say there aren't some quality operators vying for a place in the Three Lions squad.

Harry Kane continues to be the focal point up top but there are a number of strikers aiming to usurp the England skipper.

Here are the best options for England at centre forward.

9. Eddie Nketiah

Nketiah's status as the all-time leading scorer for England's Under-21s doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence. While the likes of Alan Shearer (13) and Frank Lampard (nine) blossomed into seasoned senior internationals, Francis Jeffers and Saido Berahino both broke double digits at youth level.

A traditional penalty-box poacher, Nketiah has clear limitations but hasn't looked entirely out of place when filling in for Arsenal up top.

He now has the chance to reach new heights following a permanent move to Crystal Palace but hasn't quite fired at the start of his Eagles career.

8. Tammy Abraham

At one moment in time, it looked as if Abraham was going to offer Kane serious competition for his starting spot. The striker scored three goals in 11 caps for England and impressed at Chelsea before a move to Roma where he initially fired under Jose Mourinho.

However, Abraham hasn't featured in an England squad since 2022 having suffered a torn ACL at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Perhaps a move to Champions League Milan for 2024/25 can help him attract more attention from incoming England boss Thomas Tuchel. He's certainly earning more minutes than he's done in a while.

7. Liam Delap

Delap may not be in the conversation for an England spot just yet but the imposing Ipswich Town centre-forward is starting to make a splash in the Premier League.

Following his permanent departure from Manchester City over the summer, Delap has swiftly found his feet in Suffolk as he dazzles with his goal contributions on the grandest stage.

Delap has been the focal point and key contributor for the newly-promoted Tractor Boys and has the physicality and athleticism to give centre-backs a tough ride.

6. Danny Welbeck

It's been six years since Welbeck last featured for the Three Lions, but the veteran forward is enjoying a renaissance on the South Coast and should his impressive form persist at Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck may suddenly find himself back in England contention.

The seasoned striker knows his game, and he's evolved impressively from his more youthful iteration. Welbeck remains a persistent channel runner, but he's also proving to be incredibly effective as the focal point of Brighton's attacks and is capable of scoring an array of different goals.

5. Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Injuries have long been Calvert-Lewin's biggest barrier to entry in the England team. Frequent knocks and strains have often kept him sidelined for Everton, disrupting his rhythm and hindering his development.

When in full flow, he remains an impressive talent and he was often chosen to deputise for Kane under Gareth Southgate. In many aspects, he was the striker most similar to the former Tottenham forward, especially given his incredible physical presence and aerial ability.

4. Ivan Toney

Toney claimed that the FA's betting probe was timed to prevent him from joining Southgate's 2022 World Cup squad. "Someone was out to get me," he insisted.

The Brentford striker was only outscored by Kane and Erling Haaland in the Premier League in 2022/23, but he struggled from an output perspective having returned from his ban midway through 2023/24.

Despite his barren conclusion to the season, Southgate used him effectively at Euro 2024, but a move to Saudi Arabia may impact his international career under Tuchel.

3. Dominic Solanke

To put into context how long ago Solanke's England debut was, he replaced Jamie Vardy. Across the subsequent years, Solanke didn't return to the international stage but he's now back in the Three Lions squad after an impressive start to the season with new club Tottenham.

Solanke produced 19 goals in the Premier League last term and, despite missing out on Euro 2024, joined Spurs in a monster £65m deal.

It hasn't taken the imposing forward long to settle in north London, with his capacity to bring others into play, poach in the box, and press relentlessly rendering him the perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou - and potentially Tuchel, too.

2. Ollie Watkins

Earlier this year, Watkins fretted: "I think I go under the radar, maybe. I don’t know if I'm not talked about enough, profile-wise."

Watkins recorded 27 goals and 13 assists across all competitions last season, meaning there is certainly no obvious reason that the prolific striker would be overlooked on the international stage.

In fact, having travelled to Euro 2024, he increased his visibility by scoring the goal that sent England to the final, and his pace offers something unique in the final third.

If it wasn't for a certain Bayern Munich striker, Watkins would undoubtedly be leading the line for the Three Lions.

1. Harry Kane

Now we get to the player so far clear of the rest of his competitors that it's a little bit ridiculous.

England's record goalscorer, captain and most prolific finisher, Kane is streets ahead of most other strikers in world football, even if age threatens to catch up with him in the coming years.

He's one of the best players in the world and his penalty box instinct and finishing ability continue to set him apart from those looking to take his crown.

Tuchel adored him during their spell together at Bayern and that won't change on the international scene.

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