England: Who starts up front at Euro 2016? Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham's verdicts

By Simeon Gholam

Image: Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy have put themselves in contention for a starting spot at the Euros

After Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy impressed against Germany and Netherlands, debate has raged over who should be starting up front for England at the Euros.

Kane and Vardy lead the way in the Premier League scoring charts, but with England captain Wayne Rooney on the mend following injury and Daniel Sturridge back in contention, Roy Hodgson has a real conundrum on his hands.

Here, Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham deliver their verdicts on who they would start up front in France this summer. 

Is Kane the main man?

Teddy Sheringham explains why Harry Kane is such a rare talent

Cascarino - Kane has matured into a top quality striker. I can't think of too many strikers in Europe better than him at the moment. 

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There was the question when he first broke through of whether he would be good enough to lead the line for Tottenham, and then England. Now he's the No 1 striker and it's a case of Kane and who else.

He has to start, his performances and goals prove he's become a far more complete player. If his goal against Germany was scored by someone from Brazil or another country we'd be waxing lyrical about it. Vardy's goal caught the eye with the ability to do what he did but Kane's opener was just as exceptional. 

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Image: Kane trains with Sturridge

Sheringham - He's a complete striker. He can score with his left foot, right foot and with his head, from distance and from close range. He can run long or drop into areas that ask defenders questions and he can hold up the ball.

He's only 22 and you don't really get to know your game until you're 26/27 and in your prime. He can score goals and he wants to show you he can score goals, long may that continue!

What about Vardy?

Image: Vardy put England ahead against Netherlands

Cascarino - The change against Germany happened because of Kane and Vardy playing up front together. The running power of England hurt Germany a lot and Vardy is so unselfish that he makes things happen because of his running abillity. 

Using Vardy alongside Kane would be a great option to have but you can use Kane both ways. That's the sign of a quality player, there are very few who can do that. There are lots of good things about a partnership and Kane on his own. 

Image: Vardy backheels the ball home

Sheringham - He's full of confidence which is the main thing when you're playing at the top level. You only have to look at his goal on Saturday, it was improvisation, instinct and he probably won't get the chance to do that again. 

It was the perfect finish and the instinct of a man who was on top form and ready to try anything. If you've got that you've got a chance of succeding. 

So where does that leave Rooney?

Image: Rooney's place has come under threat from Kane and Vardy

Cascarino - Rooney has to prove himself to be in tip-top condition and prove to be the player who went to Euro 2004 and was outstanding. He will have to score lots of goals in his remaining games and look really sharp. 

I don't think England can chance taking him and hope he hasn't scored a goal but that he's okay. England will need him to hit the ground running and be ready for June. 

At one time it didn't really matter if Rooney was or wasn't fit. Hodgson will definitely take him and be a squad player, and if he shows his fitness is right he'll probably play.  He's your captain, you can't really be leaving your captain out unless it's out of necessity. 

All Rooney can do is cross the white line and when he pulls on the shirt play as well as he can. If he does do that then people will see he still has a valid place.

Image: Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against France in November

Sheringham - He's a proven goalscorer at international level. He knows the game and where to be at the right time. I think he'd accommodate Kane perfectly. 

He's played up front but I feel his best position is just behind the front man. He wouldn't get in Kane's way, Kane wouldn't get in his way, and he makes the team tick. 

We're going to need that experience as well at those major tournaments. It's not just about youth and pace, you have to have a bit of everything in a football team and he adds so much to the team. 

Can Daniel Sturridge make his case?

Image: Daniel Sturridge returned to the England fold against Netherlands

Cascarino - Sturridge has got to be the player who played alongside Luis Suarez and was probably England's best player at the last World Cup, he scared the life out of a few teams in Brazil. Unfortunately, though, he's had such a bad injury record in the last 18 months. 

He's a quality footballer, and England are lucky that they've got lots of different types of striking options. There's lots of pace and energy in there with Vardy and Kane, they have Sturridge who is as quick as hell then they have Rooney's ability as an all-rounder.

Image: Vardy challenges Sturridge in England training

Sheringham - Pretty similar to a Rooney type, he's very capable of scoring goals up front but off the front man would be the perfect solution. He's someone who asks questions of defenders and if he comes into those areas and turns and goes at a back four it makes him a tough prospect to pick up.

Either him or Rooney playing behind Vardy or Kane is exciting times for England. 

Verdict

Cascarino - Kane and Vardy

Sheringham - Kane and Rooney

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