Paul Scholes hints Arsenal might already have Kane’s replacement in their plans—update inside.

Harry Kane’s future as England’s regular goal scorer at major tournaments is increasingly uncertain, and there isn’t a clear successor on the immediate horizon. With Kane advancing in age, the pool of English strikers who will be under 30 by the next European Championship and have recent top‑flight experience is limited to Liam Delap, Dane Scarlett, and former Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah. That trio leaves a notable gap, and even standout young talents like Folarin Balogun have been cited as potential “what might have been” possibilities rather than assured replacements.

In this context, former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has proposed a less conventional option. During a recent episode of The Good, The Bad and The Football, Scholes was asked who might eventually fill the role of England’s number nine. He suggested Max Dowman as a potential long‑term solution. Dowman isn’t typically viewed as a centre-forward, but Scholes pointed out that the national team could evolve toward a system that doesn’t rely on a traditional striker.

Scholes noted an analogy with Spain, where they have often deployed a false nine, with players like Mikel Oyarzabal contributing creativity and goal threat rather than just finishing. The idea is to pair Dowman with a playmaking partner and a dynamic contributor like Jude Bellingham, creating a front two built on technical quality rather than a conventional number nine.

Dowman’s trajectory has drawn attention for another reason. He made a name for himself as the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer, a milestone he achieved against Everton, and has been described as an “outstanding talent” by prominent coaches. While his World Cup appearance came earlier than would have been ideal, he’ll be a teenager by the next European Championship and around 20 by the following World Cup, depending on his development and breakthrough at Arsenal.

The pathway for Dowman to become a regular England contributor hinges on continued progression at Arsenal, establishing himself as a first‑team option, and seizing opportunities at the international level when called upon. History at the global stage shows that England has integrated very young players into major tournaments before. Wayne Rooney debuted at Euro 2004 at 18, Jude Bellingham featured at Euro 2020 at 17, and Lamine Yamal shined at Euro 2024 at 16. If Dowman continues on his current development trajectory, he could emerge as a generational figure for England over time.

In the near term, England will need to explore multiple avenues for solving the striker challenge, including nurturing young talents, experimenting with tactical innovations, and optimizing the supporting cast around a potential false-nine setup or another creative forward. While Dowman’s long‑term potential is intriguing, the national team will likely pursue a mix of internal development and senior‑level recruitment to bridge the gap until a clear, proven successor is ready to lead the line.