If I was a defender, I’d lose more sleep over facing Erling Haaland than I would Harry Kane. But if you asked me which striker I’d want leading my team, I’d choose Kane every time.
That isn’t a contradiction. As a defender, what keeps you awake isn’t always the better footballer, it’s the player who makes you feel completely helpless. Haaland does that. At times, he’s simply too big, too strong and too quick.
If a cross is hung up to the back post, if he gets a yard in a foot race or if he catches you one-on-one in open space, those are the moments that terrify defenders. You look foolish. Just ask Brazil centre back Gabriel after Norway’s 2-1 victory in the last round.
The entirety of Thomas Tuchel’s preparation this week will have centred around one man. But if you asked him to swap Haaland for Kane before kick-off, there is no chance he’d do it, and nor should he.
That is not a criticism of Haaland. Far from it. It’s fascinating debate between two of the best No 9s in world football (I’d have Kylian Mbappe slightly ahead of them). The difference is that Harry doesn’t possess one freakish attribute that strikes fear into defenders, a trait where they go to bed thinking, ‘Oh my God, this guy will make me look silly tomorrow’.
Erling Haaland can bully defenders and everything is billed as a battle with him
But Harry Kane is outstanding at just about everything, and that is what makes him unique
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What matters more in a striker: unstoppable physical power or all-round football intelligence?
He’s not going to run past you like Kylian Mbappe. He isn’t going to bully you like Haaland. Instead, he’s outstanding at just about everything, and that is what makes him unique. His first touch. His link-up play. His movement. His football intelligence. His ability to win fouls. His awareness of runners around him. His passing range. His finishing. They’re all eight, nine or even ten out of ten. He is the best finisher on the planet.
But finishing alone isn’t what frightens defenders. Sometimes, a clever finish and all the credit goes to the scorer. It’s different with Haaland. Everything is billed as a battle, him against them. Just look at the coverage this week, a lot of it has focused on the record of England’s defenders in matches versus him. That isn’t a ridiculous angle to take, either. The outcome of this game could well come down to one duel between Haaland and Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa or even Dan Burn.
But Haaland’s greatest strengths also explain why he isn’t the complete footballer like Kane, because he can rely on those to be as good as he is. Roy Keane once questioned his all-round game and likened him to a League Two player! Brutal, but I understood the point.
Haaland’s touch can be loose. His link-up play isn’t particularly refined. He’s not someone who drops into midfield and dictates attacks in the way Kane does. None of that makes him easier to stop. In fact, it makes him one of the hardest strikers I’ve ever analysed because there isn’t an obvious solution, as Brazil found to their cost.
If someone had asked how to stop me during my career, I’d have said defend deep, because my biggest strength was running in behind. If you were playing Peter Crouch, you’d probably play higher because you wouldn’t fear him sprinting past you. Haaland gives you both problems. His headed goal against Brazil summed him up perfectly.
People talk about great headers as though it’s all about climb and power. It isn’t. It’s about timing. The best headers of the ball arrive when the defender thinks he’s about to clear it. Haaland looked disinterested in the seconds before that goal, and then he suddenly exploded across Gabriel at precisely the right moment. That’s an art.
Someone like Diogo Jota was outstanding at it despite not being particularly tall. Jude Bellingham does it brilliantly when he arrives late into the box. It’s cat and mouse. You disguise your intentions, you lull defenders into a false sense of security and then you attack the ball at exactly the right second. It’s why Haaland scores so many goals from inside the penalty area, when you would think he should be marked.
Kane and Haaland pose together in FIFA’s 2026 World Cup promotional photos
Michael Owen scores against Argentina for England at the World Cup in 1998
So what is the best form of defence for England? Attack! We’ve got superior players across the pitch and, for me, the best way of defending Haaland is to make sure Norway don’t have the ball.
I’m not talking about a reckless high line because that would be playing into his hands. But I do want England dominating possession, playing in Norway’s half and forcing Haaland to spend long periods chasing shadows. If England have the ball, Haaland can’t hurt them.
Jordan Pickford will need to be alert as a sweeper on the edge of his box, because there will be moments when Norway break through the press or win the ball and immediately look to get him away. But the important thing is not allowing fear to dictate England’s game-plan. Respect Haaland? Absolutely. Be intimidated by him? No.
Harry Kane plays in the better side, so let’s make it about us and about him. You beat Haaland as a team, not just as a defender.
Great players don’t make great penalties
Watching the penalties at this World Cup has reminded us of one thing – the very best players don’t always make the best takers.
People assume that because you’re Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Harry Kane, penalties are easy. They’re not.
Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick saved during Argentina’s last-16 win against Egypt
I never considered myself a great penalty taker, even though I never missed for England and took them at major tournaments. I took responsibility when I had to, as a striker should, but I was always happy to let team-mates with a better technique step up.
For me, penalties are as much about temperament. That’s why someone like Ivan Toney is so good. He’s calm, brave and totally committed to his process. He’s perfected the art of what he does in watching the goalkeeper.
Now I’m all for this, keeping your eyes on the keeper, but only if you’re genuinely reacting to what he does. If you’ve already decided where you’re putting the ball, all the stuttering and waiting is pointless.
Personally, I was never obsessed with power. The harder you hit it, the more accuracy you lose. Harry Kane has found the ideal balance. He picks his spot, trusts his technique and strikes it with conviction. That’s why, when he scores, it usually looks far easier than it really is.
