Former Lion Heskey Warns of Shortage of England Strikers

Published: 14 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

England’s current search for the next generation of strikers has sparked debate among former internationals and pundits, with Emile Heskey voicing concerns over the apparent scarcity of natural number nines emerging in the modern game. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Heskey reflected on how the clear pathway for England’s forwards in previous decades has all but disappeared, leaving the national team reliant on veteran star Harry Kane, now 32, as the sole out-and-out striker in Thomas Tuchel’s 25-man squad for the latest World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

Heskey, who scored 7 goals in 62 appearances for England between 1999 and 2010, drew comparisons with his own era, where a chain of forwards seemed almost guaranteed: Shearer handed over the mantle to Heskey, who in turn was followed by Wayne Rooney. That continuity provided clarity and confidence for managers and fans alike. “We’ve been lucky over the years we could see where the next strikers were coming,” Heskey said. “We had a chain of players who could go from that next level, I came in after [Alan] Shearer and Rooney came after me, but where do we look now? We always had that chain but we are struggling to find [the next one] now.”

The stark reality facing England today is highlighted by Premier League statistics. Only eight English strikers have appeared in the top flight this season, and Liam Delap of Chelsea, at 22, is the only one under the age of 26 who could potentially fill the traditional number nine role. While younger talents are emerging across midfield and wide positions, Heskey argues that the true centre-forward—someone capable of holding up the ball, leading the line, and consistently scoring—is becoming increasingly rare.

Heskey’s comments echo those of Wayne Rooney, who also expressed concern over the modern evolution of football. “I just think it is purely because they don’t want to play number nines now with the way the game is,” Rooney said. “If you look worldwide there’s not many number nines, so it is not just England.” Both Heskey and Rooney suggest that tactical trends and changing styles of play are contributing factors to the decline of the traditional striker. Modern forwards are often expected to drop deep, link with attacking midfielders, or drift wide, limiting opportunities for out-and-out goalscoring instincts to flourish in a conventional centre-forward role.

The current England squad provides a case study in this evolution. Harry Kane remains England’s lynchpin up front, combining poaching instincts with the ability to drop deep and orchestrate play. He exemplifies a modern striker capable of adapting to various tactical systems. However, with Kane in his thirties, England face the pressing challenge of succession planning. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has shown potential, notably scoring a crucial semi-final goal at Euro 2024, but he has been rested from the current squad to manage an ongoing issue. Meanwhile, Delap and other young forwards are still in the early stages of Premier League careers and may not yet be ready to bear the full responsibility of leading the line at a major tournament.

Heskey highlighted another key distinction between his era and the modern game: the physical and tactical demands on strikers have shifted. “Forwards had to be so much more involved when we were playing. You’d have to chase things into the channel, you’d have to win the flick-ons. Now your two number eights are doing more, your wingers are quite wide, you don’t have to get involved as much now.” This change in style has reduced the opportunities for young strikers to hone the traditional attributes—strength, aerial ability, and finishing instincts—that once defined England’s number nines.

The evolution of the striker role is also evident globally. Rooney referenced the dominance of forwards such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, whose ruthlessness and pace make them exceptions rather than the rule. The modern game rewards versatility and creativity over the pure poaching instincts that characterized earlier generations of English forwards. “Everyone wants to be a Mo Salah or a Lionel Messi, and playing as a forward now you don’t touch the ball as much,” Rooney observed. This shift has made it challenging for national teams to identify and develop players who can serve as classic number nines while also adapting to contemporary tactical demands.

The implications for England extend beyond tactical considerations. With Kane as the only established striker, Tuchel’s squad depth is tested, particularly when considering injuries, suspensions, or form fluctuations. The lack of clear successors places additional pressure on Kane and highlights the importance of developing younger talents capable of stepping into central roles. Heskey’s sons, Reigan and Jaden, are forwards themselves, having made their first-team debuts for Manchester City in September’s Carabao Cup fixtures. While promising, it remains to be seen whether they or other young English strikers can rise to the occasion on the international stage.

This shortage of centre-forwards is a broader reflection of changes in youth development and coaching philosophies. Many academies now emphasise technical proficiency, ball-playing ability, and tactical intelligence across all positions, rather than producing traditional target men. While this has led to highly skilled and adaptable players, it has inadvertently reduced the pool of players trained specifically for the central striking role. Heskey’s concern is that, without a deliberate focus on nurturing out-and-out strikers, England may face a prolonged period of dependency on aging stars like Kane.

Despite the challenges, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Young forwards are receiving top-level exposure in domestic leagues and European competitions, allowing them to adapt to high-pressure situations earlier in their careers. Players like Delap and Watkins are developing the necessary physical and technical attributes, and the integration of wide forwards into central positions may yield hybrid options capable of functioning as modern number nines. Tuchel’s management philosophy, which emphasises squad rotation, tactical flexibility, and nurturing young talent, provides a supportive framework for this evolution.

Heskey also addressed the psychological demands on modern strikers. The contemporary forward must navigate intense scrutiny from media, fans, and social platforms, alongside the tactical complexity of modern football. Kane exemplifies resilience in this environment, but younger players will need similar mental fortitude to succeed. “It’s not just about scoring goals; it’s about managing expectations and adapting to the game’s pace and physicality,” Heskey remarked.

The upcoming World Cup presents both an opportunity and a challenge for England’s striker situation. With Kane leading the line, the team’s immediate offensive output is secure, but Tuchel and his staff must carefully manage minutes, rotations, and tactical plans to prepare for a squad that could be exposed in later rounds. Simultaneously, the tournament serves as a platform to evaluate younger forwards under intense international pressure, providing insights into who might carry the torch in the post-Kane era.

Heskey’s reflections underscore the broader conversation about the role of the striker in modern football. While traditional number nines may be increasingly rare, the evolving game presents opportunities for hybrid forwards who combine finishing ability with movement, creativity, and defensive contribution. The challenge for England is to identify, nurture, and integrate these players, ensuring continuity in attacking leadership while adapting to contemporary demands.

Rooney and Heskey are united in their perspective: the game has changed, but the need for a central attacking presence remains. While hybrid roles offer tactical flexibility, the absence of a clear successor to Kane highlights the importance of strategic planning at both club and national levels. Developing forwards who can combine goal-scoring instincts with modern versatility will be key to England’s sustained competitiveness on the world stage.

In conclusion, the concerns raised by Heskey reflect a pivotal moment for England football. The reliance on Kane, coupled with a shortage of young, proven number nines, underscores a transitional phase in the national team’s attacking options. While modern tactics and evolving styles of play have reshaped the striker’s role, England must ensure that talent pipelines, youth development, and tactical adaptation align to maintain long-term competitiveness. The emergence of players like Delap, Watkins, and other young forwards offers hope, but the clarity and continuity that defined previous generations of English strikers remains elusive. Heskey’s insights provide a timely reminder that planning for succession is as critical as performance in the present, particularly with a World Cup on the horizon.