England player ratings as two stars struggle in win over Italy
Attack
Bukayo Saka: 7
Bukayo Saka continued his Arsenal form into the national team as he was a constant threat down the right, with Grealish holding his position it was the winger’s job alongside Bellingham to get behind Kane and create opportunities.
He also doubled up with Walker to halt the promising positions that Spinazzola took up going forward, especially in the second half.
Harry Kane: 9
The skipper was his usual excellent self in Naples, putting the pain of his previous England game truly behind him with a typical performance and record-breaking goal. He dropped deep and held up the ball well, but it was clear how much it meant to Kane when he sent his penalty past Donnarumma to eclipse Wayne Rooney and become England’s outright top scorer.
He has scored 54 goals in 81 games – a remarkable record but goals are just one element of the Tottenham star’s game as the full package was on show in Naples.
Steven Gerrard paid tribute to the captain and suggested that it was another display that showed he may opt to leave Spurs in the summer. “It’s an incredible penalty, it’s precise, takes the side-netting off. He’s one of the best penalty-takers in the world,” Gerrard told Channel 4.
“That’s why it was such a surprise what happened to him in the World Cup, but you’re talking about greatness, you’re talking about one of the best number nines in the world right now and that’s the reason why every transfer window he’s ahead in terms of all the talks because, you know, maybe it is time, maybe it is time for him to move on.”
Jack Grealish: 6
Jack Grealish had an opportunity to score England’s third before half-time as Kane squared the ball to the winger but with the goal at his mercy, could not hit the target as he shinned his effort wide.
England struggled to build attacks down the left, as Southgate’s first substitution of the game saw Grealish brought off for Phil Foden.
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