Can England end 62 years of hurt? Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, where England secured a bronze medal, focus has shifted toward the 2028 European Championships. A significant concern for the Three Lions is the future of the center-forward position. Harry Kane will be nearly 35 years old when the tournament begins, and while he may still be active, manager Thomas Tuchel will require a capable alternative to lead the line.
Jude Bellingham is currently viewed as the most likely candidate to fill the void, yet there is a consensus that he performs best when playing off a dedicated striker rather than as a center-forward himself. Consequently, the search for a new goalscorer remains a priority.
Several candidates have been assessed for the role. Manchester City’s Mubama, 21, represented England through every age group from Under-15s and has five goals in seven caps for the Under-21s. He joined City in 2024 because they don’t have any decent centre-forwards. Ivan Toney, currently at Al-Ahli, faces questions regarding his international future; Tuchel’s reluctance to play the 30-year-old for anything but the final seconds of a semi-final defeat or the nonsense bronze final suggests he may have been viewed merely as a penalty specialist.
Eddie Nketiah, the all-time record scorer for England’s Under-21 side with 16 goals, has struggled to translate that success to the senior level since moving to Crystal Palace. Similarly, Ollie Watkins, now 29, faces questions about whether he can maintain the pace required for his game as he enters the later stages of his career, with reports suggesting a potential move to Turkey.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains an option, though he struggled to convince the coaching staff during his recent audition. However, his history of injuries might mean his legs are fresher than his peers, and he is coming off a productive season at Leeds United. Meanwhile, Dominic Solanke, praised by Roberto De Zerbi as one of the Premier League's top strikers, may find new opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur to prove his worth at the international level.
Anthony Gordon has shown promise in the center-forward role with the Under-21s and impressed at Newcastle, and his potential form at Barcelona could influence Tuchel’s future selections. Finally, Liam Delap, who struggled at Chelsea, still holds potential at 28, provided he secures a move to a club where he can play a more prominent role, such as Newcastle or Everton, to rediscover the form that saw him hit double figures in the 2024/25 season, playing 365 days a year to reach his peak.
