While Harry Kane continues to break new ground, proving himself as one of the greatest strikers in world football, the same certainly cannot be said for one of his former England partners. That comes in spite of the fact he was once tipped to be Manchester United’s primary number one and be a regular part of the national team.

Indeed, nobody needs reminding of Kane’s success on the international stage. No one has captained the Three Lions to more major international tournament semi-finals than him, and his goalscoring tally is way beyond that of his predecessors, having managed an incredible 85 goals in 120 caps.

Over the course of that time, though, he’s never found a reliable strike partner. He’s come closest to finally discovering one at this year’s World Cup, with Jude Bellingham netting six times to prove himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. But as for out-and-out number 9s, Kane hasn’t been blessed with right-hand men.

Harry Kane’s Former England Strike Partner Now 32 and Unemployed

Having started alongside Kane in an England Under-19s friendly against Switzerland in 2012, Will Keane is spending the next few weeks in a PFA pre-season camp laid on to help unemployed players find new clubs.

His downfall started just days after playing up top with Kane, as he suffered a serious knee injury which sidelined him for 16 months. He told BBC Sport recently:

Lee Smith via Reuters

Keane grafted his way back to fitness, gained experience out on loan and was once again knocking on the door of the United first team by early 2016. But, by then, another Englishman had already taken his place, slumming the door shut on his chances of getting enough playing time to prove himself.

Keane tore his groin, allowing Marcus Rashford to get a run in the senior side. The Carrington Academy graduate scored four goals in his first two Red Devils’ games, which he admits was like a dagger to the heart. He recalled: “I went to America for an operation, landed in Philadelphia, turned my phone on and saw he scored two more. It was hard to take, but I had to move on.”

The 32-year-old did move on, bouncing around the second and third tiers before finding a safe haven at Wigan Athletic, where he played the best football of his career between 2020 and 2023.

The Stockport-born striker, whose twin brother is Everton defender Michael Keane, also spent part of last season on loan at League One Reading before his Preston contract expired. He is now having “a few chats” with interested clubs and hopes things will “open up” once the season starts.

Keane Always Knew His Compatriot Was Special

England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham celebrate via REUTERS/Paul Childs

The past few weeks have given Keane the perfect opportunity to watch his former partner in crime at the World Cup and reflect on what has made him so successful. He said, as per The Sun: “I remember when we were young, people said he wasn’t mobile, but technically, the time he put into his finishing and his obsessiveness to be the best in terms of shooting, you see it don’t you?

“He’s so sure of himself, because he’s put the work in. He knows he’s a complete striker. He’s obviously got that belief in himself. If he didn’t have certainty in his mind, he wouldn’t be as prolific.”

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has vented his frustrations about his team’s training schedule ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain, implying that they have been put at an unfair disadvantage.

The South American nation secured their spot in football’s showpiece event by beating England in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday evening in Atlanta. Late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s opener, sending the reigning champions to their seventh World Cup final.

Meanwhile, Spain booked their place in the showdown in New Jersey by seeing off France 24 hours before the clash at the Atlanta Stadium. A penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a neat finish from Pedro Porro were enough for La Roja to progress.

Argentina only arrived in the New York area late on Thursday night, and Scaloni feels this is already a significant setback for his side heading into the game at MetLife Stadium.

Lionel Scaloni Complains About Training Schedule Ahead of World Cup Final

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Spain reportedly flew into New Jersey on Wednesday night, the day after their semi-final victory over France. Argentina’s encounter with England only concluded on Wednesday evening, and they had to wait over 24 hours before landing in the north-east of the United States.

La Albiceleste arrived around 11pm on Thursday night, before FIFA instructed them to train briefly in the sweltering heat on Friday afternoon in New York.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday evening, Scaloni addressed this schedule and how it clearly favours Spain, who were able to train in more favourable conditions and enjoy an additional day’s rest.

“We’re just now resting because we arrived last night around 11pm,” he said. “Today they forced us to train at a time we didn’t want.

“But with the press conference and everything, we had to do a strange, quick training session, and we hardly got to try anything out.

History Shows Spain Have Huge Advantage Over Argentina

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

While fans might feel Scaloni is looking for excuses before the final has even commenced, the Argentina boss might actually have a point.

The Athletic revealed last week that in 13 of the last 14 World Cups and European Championships, the team who played their semi-final first has emerged with the trophy.

Clearly, having an additional rest period and more time to prepare tactically for the opposition gives teams significant advantages in these tournaments. That said, there isn’t really a way around this.

Ultimately, unless the two semi-finals are played at the same time or within a few hours of each other, one team is always going to have an advantage. Being first is the luck of the draw, and it’s unavoidable.

However, Scaloni’s complaints towards FIFA were more concentrated on the scheduling of the press conference and the training session. The football organisation could have allowed Argentina to train in the evening when it was cooler, scheduling the press conference for the afternoon.

Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was approached during the Football Association’s search for England‘s next manager before Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, GiveMeSport understands.

However, sources have indicated the contact never developed into a formal process, with Solskjaer never becoming an official candidate for the role.

It is understood there was an approach as the FA explored multiple options during its search to replace Gareth Southgate.

While conversations took place, they never progressed significantly and Solskjaer was never viewed as being in the final stages of contention.

The FA Considered Solskjaer and Guardiola Appointments

via Reuters

The approach came during the same period that former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was also considered by the FA, before they made the decision to hire Tuchel..

The German was eventually appointed as England head coach after emerging as the FA’s preferred choice.

Although Solskjaer’s involvement ultimately proved brief, the contact highlights the extensive work carried out behind the scenes as the FA assessed a number of high-profile options before settling on Tuchel.

Solskjaer most recently managed Turkish side Besiktas, spending eight months in charge during 2025 before leaving the club.

The Norwegian had previously been out of management since leaving Manchester United in November 2021, but his name has continued to be linked with a number of roles since his departure from Old Trafford.

FA Have No Intention of Sacking Tuchel

Dylan Martinez via Reuters

The revelation comes as Tuchel’s future has inevitably come under scrutiny following England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.

Despite the criticism surrounding England’s exit, GiveMeSport understands there is no intention from the FA to make a managerial change.

Sources have indicated that the plan remains for Tuchel to lead England into UEFA Euro 2028, with the World Cup defeat doing nothing to alter that position.

Tuchel himself reaffirmed his commitment following the loss, insisting he remains “100%” focused on the role while defending the tactical decisions that came under scrutiny after England surrendered a one-goal lead against the reigning world champions.

England face France in Saturday night’s World Cup third-place play-off in Miami before attention turns to the next chapter under Tuchel.

While the result offers the Three Lions the chance to secure their best World Cup finish since 1966, the FA’s backing of the German is understood to remain unchanged irrespective of the outcome.