Past plus present: 5 dream striker pairings at the World Cup

Final Italy v France - World Cup 2006
Every footballer dreams of laying hands on this trophy

#4 Harry Kane and Michael Owen (England)

FBL-WC-2018-QUALIFIER-ENG-SLO
Kane is England's talisman at World Cup 2018

Harry Kane will be captaining England in his debut World Cup. He may not have many international games or goals under his belt but if club form is anything to go by - England's chances will rest on his broad shoulders. In the last four seasons, the Tottenham Hotspur hitman has scored an astounding 135 goals for his club. If England are to advance further in the knockout stages of the tournament a lot will depend on his form in front of goal.

Michael Owen, on the other hand, had a stellar international career. At the 1998 World Cup, he became England's youngest ever player at a World Cup and also the youngest ever to score a goal at the World Cup. Fans still vividly remember his amazing solo goal against Argentina in the round of sixteen match.

In the 2002 World Cup, he scored a goal each in both the Three Lions' knockout stage matches. His participation in the next edition of the tournament was cut short by an injury which also limited his club career from there on. Owen still remains the only English player to have scored in four international tournaments.

Kane and Own would make for a dynamic pairing up front. Kane is big and strong, has the ability to hold the ball up as well as move with it. Owen was diminutive in size but had frightening pace and an amazing eye for goal.

The two would play together as the forwards in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, interchanging positions and plundering goals.

Notable mentions

Gary Linker: He was the top scorer in the 1986 World Cup and the only Englishman ever to win the Golden Boot.

Geoff Hurst: He won England their first and only World Cup in 1966 scoring a hat-trick in the final, which till date remains the only hat trick in the finals.

Quick Links