The pressure is on England next summer. The Golden Generation of the Three Lions – and never get away with them being exactly that – they’ve fallen multiple times in the final hurdle, and 2026 must be different. This time there is no Gareth Southgate and no excuses.
With the manager who was the Champions League winner at the club level and left Bayern Munich, who was in charge in the form of Thomas Thorchelle in 2024, Britain should have the perfect package to end the 60-year injury. The women have already taken soccer home on the European stage. Now the man’s side must follow the suit and pass it to a permanent place.
However, this is not the first golden generation to bear pressure. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Declan Rice were preceded by Stephen Gerrard, David Beckham and Frank Lampard. There were Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole. The list could continue. If England tried, it couldn’t become a more talented team, but they left without glory.
They remain some of the best players to play in England, but Gary Neville admitted that he never did enough to win the “Golden Generation” label in 2010. “The team has many new players added to the wreckage of so-called “Golden Generation” players.
“But to be honest, the ‘Golden Generation’ wasn’t very golden from where I was sitting on the England team. We didn’t win tournaments or do justice.
Perhaps it’s why Manchester United legend chose to snub something like Rooney when he recently claims he believes he is the best player in Britain ever.
Neville: Kane is “the biggest English player of all time.”
Despite the aforementioned legend he played together, Neville named Harry Kane “the greatest English player of all time” last summer. The current Bayern Munich star has won Neville’s praise ahead of Rooney.
“I spoke with Wayne Rooney four or five weeks before the tournament began, and he said Harry Kane was the greatest English player ever.
“I wouldn’t fight against him either. Harry Kane was absolutely sensational.”
It is difficult to oppose that verdict. Kane may not have a trophy in his name at the international level, but it was not something to try. Tottenham’s Hotspur legend has both the World Cup golden boots and the Euro golden boots in his name, making him a clear three-lions top goal scorer.
England’s top scorer | the goal |
|---|---|
Harry Kane | 73 |
Wayne Rooney | 53 |
Is Bobby Charlton | 49 |
Gary Lineker | 48 |
Jimmy Greaves | 44 |
At the age of 32, Kane showed no signs of slowing down in Bayern Munich and has the opportunity to lead England to glory at the World Cup next summer. After finishing the trophy at the club level, the iconic forward has the opportunity to finish off 60 years waiting for the whole country.