Gary Lineker reveals three potential candidates to become England captain following Harry Kane.
Legendary England striker, Gary Lineker has named three standout candidates to succeed Harry Kane as England captain. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker highlighted Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka as the leading contenders for the prestigious role.
Kane, who has been England captain since 2018, has led the team to back-to-back European Championship finals and remains a prolific scorer for Bayern Munich. However, his recent performances, including a mixed showing at Euro 2024, have sparked debates about his long-term role.
Lineker praised Bellingham’s leadership qualities, despite his young age of 21, noting his experience of winning the Champions League last season. Declan Rice, who captained West Ham in his final season and has shown his ability to take charge on the pitch for both Arsenal and England, was also highlighted as a natural leader.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Lineker included Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka as a potential successor. At just 23, Saka has already captained Arsenal in Martin Ødegaard’s absence and is praised for his attitude, skill, and ability to deliver in crucial moments. Lineker described Saka as resilient and brilliant, with the mental strength to lead the team.
The former striker emphasized the importance of having a captain who is almost guaranteed to start, and believes that these three players possess the qualities needed to lead England into the future.
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