Former England boss Terry Venables has said that Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane can shine at this summer’s European Championships, just as Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham did at Euro 96.
Despite the pair’s inexperience, having scored just 6 goals in 16 caps between them, the former Three Lions manager believes that the pair can forge a partnership to emulate ‘SAS’s’ performances that lead England to the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championships.
“Kane reminds me of Teddy in the way he’s craftily able to find space,” Venables told the Sun.
“And Teddy always seemed to find the inside of the post with his efforts, much like Kane does.
“As for Vardy, he is a goalscorer and while I would never burden him by saying he is as good as Shearer, they both take the same amount of pleasure from sticking the ball into the net.” The former England boss continued.
“It is a quality you cannot coach. It’s a natural instinct. And Vardy, like Shearer, has shown he has it at all levels.”
Venables’ England team for the 1996 European Championships, led by Shearer and Sheringham, managed to match the Three Lions’ best ever finish in the competition, reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out on penalties by eventual winners Germany.
Both Vardy and Kane have been integral to their clubs’ success this season, with Kane’s 25 goals winning him the Golden Boot award and helping Spurs to their highest league finish in 26 years and Vardy’s 24 goals helping Leicester City win the Premier League title.
20 years on from the historic tournament, Venables believes that the pair can translate their superb individual performances in the Premier League this season to lead England to European success this summer.
“Vardy and Kane have showed in the Premier League they can perform against some of the best defenders in the world.
England 4 Netherlands 1 - Euro 96 in pictures
“There is no reason why they cannot do the same in France.” Said Venables
“The two of them have performed at a very high level all season.
“I am sure they will want to continue it at the finals. People ask whether they can play together — I believe they can.”
