Euro 2020

Alan Shearer backs Harry Kane to win Euro 2020 Golden Boot

By Sammy Wynne | 01 June 2021

Former England striker Alan Shearer claims that Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane should put his club future aside and focus on winning the Golden Boot at Euro 2020.

All-time record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer has backed England captain Harry Kane to win the Golden Boot at Euro 2020 this summer.

There is uncertainty over where the future of the Tottenham Hotspur striker lays, which is similar to the situation Shearer was in before Euro 1996, when he was about to leave Blackburn with Manchester United interested.

However, Shearer's future was left unresolved during the tournament in 1996 and he went on to be England's top scorer for that championship, and he has urged Kane to put his club future aside and focus on his international duties.

The former England forward told the BBC: "Absolutely he could win the Golden Boot. He comes into it after winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup and come into it on the back of having to sort his future with Spurs.

"I went into Euro 96 with Blackburn and had the tournament and then had a decision to make after it, It's down to him now. I think he's made that decision already, I don't think it will affect him at all even if it's not sorted out which we don't think it will be.

"With the talent I've already mentioned, with the full backs as well, so even if Gareth plays a three or whatever formation he uses, I'm pretty sure they will create enough chances for Harry to be up there challenging for that Golden Boot. I'm pretty confident in that."

Shearer went on to suggest how far he thinks Gareth Southgate's team can go this summer: "Because of our success in the World Cup three years ago and getting to the semi-final, I know we had a favourable draw in getting there, but it was still a big achievement.

"What we lacked then was that little bit of quality, that little bit in the final pass, I don't think we lack that anymore.

"I know what it's like with the games at Wembley, if we get on a roll, if we get the country behind us, being England, you just never know. I would hope and probably expect us to get to a semi-final."

Southgate named his final 26-man squad for the European Championships this summer on Tuesday, after initially naming a 33-strong provisional squad.