Why Harry Kane dropping deep might win England the World Cup

Kane has just enjoyed the most prolific season of his club career. In 51 games for Bayern Munich, he scored 61 goals.

It is a ridiculous tally for any striker, never mind one tasked with contributing to a side’s build-up play as he has for Bayern over the season just completed.

England fans will want to see this goal-happy version of Kane in the World Cup. But it is worth noting that he achieved his remarkable total playing in an increasingly free role, encouraged to drop as deep as his full-backs at times.

And so Tuchel has decided that building the squad around this version of Kane makes the most sense.

Bayern lacked a natural link player between their defence and attack for much of the season because of the injuries that plagued midfielder Jamal Musiala.

Kane was asked to drop in to solve this problem.

“When Jamal’s playing, it’s a bit different. Getting the ball off defenders, driving… when we were playing together, it was better for him to go and do that,” Kane said.

“This season, it’s allowed me to play a little bit deeper, use my qualities in that sense of turning and playing it forward, then arriving later in the box.”

Kane executed the role brilliantly, possessing a remarkable passing quality from deep – helping find runners ahead of him in dangerous attacking positions.