Tottenham striker Harry Kane is the transfer flavour of the week with reports from Spain claming he’s already chosen his shirt number at Real Madrid.
It’s doubtful talks have progressed to that extent but no doubt rumours will continue with Kane excelling again this season while talks over an improved deal with Spurs have yet to begin.
His links to Spain had us thinking about the wider spectrum of English talent in the Premier League and whether or not the five best the country has to offer could right now make a success of a move to La Liga’s big two.
Here, we take a look at the five best England stars and analyse whether they would be suitable for a move to either Barcelona and Real Madrid.
RAHEEM STERLING
As a 19-year-old at Liverpool, Sterling was already being talked up as a future prospect to play for either Real or Barca.
Indeed, in 2014 Sterling was linked with Los Blancos and the Blaugrana’s iconic midfielder Xavi was doing his best to woo the winger.
Talking up the qualities of both Sterling and England teammate Ross Bakley, he said: “They have incredible physical capabilities and they are good technically.
“In Spain, we prioritise players who are technically gifted but both things are very important in football.”
In the intervening years Sterling hasn’t just improved from a technical standpoint but tactically, too.
As has been shown this season, Pep Guardiola has unlocked a positional flexibility from Sterling, deploying him as a false nine – see the Manchester Derby – and on either side of a front three.
His intelligence, arguably his most underrated attribute, lends well to a Barca but a major drawback is just how many time he is dispossessed. Sterling is still prone to losing the ball and the recyclical nature of Barca’s style would mean Real is a better fit given his athleticism.
Their counter-attacking football would embrace his pace and the fact he’s added goals (19) and assists (4) to his repertoire is a huge plus point in a side which is desperate for extra artillery to aid Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
SUITABILITY
Real Madrid: 4/5
Barcelona: 3/5
Raheem Sterling
JOHN STONES
Another Man City man with a previous link to La Liga. Before signing for City from Everton in a £47.5m deal, Stones’ agent reportedly met with representatives from Barca.
Targeted as a long-term replacement for Javier Mascherano, Stones’s grace and cultured style on the ball caught the attention of the Catalan giants.
Defying the notion an English centre-half can’t be hallmarked by class, the technical yet tough Stones is the centre-piece of Pep Guardiola’s possession-heavy brand of football.
Playing out from the back and moving into midfield, his ability to recycle the ball with either feet is the base of City’s success this season and during a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the 23-year-old was sorely missed.
There is still no other player with a higher pass success rate for City in the Premier League than Stones this season (96.5 percent) and naturally that talent would gravitate towards Barca rather than Real.
Madrid defenders are required to be more physically dominant with the focus on defending to soak up pressure while technique on the ball to build from the back is a cornerstone of Ernesto Valverde’s Barca.
The issue for Stones is the fact he remains error prone. There is still that nagging doubt of a mistake or two in him and in the cauldron of Camp Nou, that’s something which would ultimately be ostracised.
SUITABILITY
Real Madrid: 3/5
Barcelona: 4/5
John Stones
DELE ALLI
Real Madrid will reportedly go shopping in the summer as a reaction to Barca’s recent heavy squad investment and Alli, who despite dropping off from the form he showed last season, is apparently on their list.
Barca, too, were said to be sniffing around around with the 21-year-old a natural alternative to Philippe Coutinho but considering his performance against Real at Wembley in the Champions League – not just his best of the season but perhaps best full stop – you feel the Spanish capital is a preferable destination.
A mainstay in Mauricio Pochettino’s dynamic midfield, the 3-1 win over Madrid was built on his energy, flair and clinical edge in front of goal.
True, his form since has been erratic but as a Spurs centurion it’s easy to forget just two years ago he was playing for MK Dons and is still only 21.
Tottenham haven’t seen a talent like his since Luka Modric and inevitably the comparison goes for both ability and career path.
The regression hasn’t put Madrid off and the north-London club have reportedly offered Alli new terms to check any interest.
His intoxicating talent would freshen up a Real midfield which has felt stale with the diminishing form of Toni Kroos and Modric.
True, Barca also need new talent in the middle with Ivan Rakitic not at his best this season and Andres Iniesta aging but it’s obvious Alli is more suited to their La Liga rivals.
SUITABILITY
Real Madrid: 4/5
Barcelona: 4/5
Dele Alli
HARRY KANE
Loyalty to his boyhood club is arguably the only reason Kane wouldn’t leave for one of La Liga’s big two right now.
Either side would have him and there is no other English player more equipped to be a success at either Real or Barca than Kane.
The 24-year-old has broken the shackles of his ‘one-season wonder’ tag and has entered the world class bracket.
He is the only Three Lions star with that distinction and as such would command a fee closer to Neymar’s €222million than Philippe Coutinho’s €160million.
His goalscoring pedigree is stretching far beyond the Premier League now and his steely consistency in England is now being replicated on the international stage and in Europe.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Roberto Firmino have scored more than his five goals in the Champions League this season.
At 24, his best years are ahead of him and Kane is adding more than just guaranteed goals as he continues to expand his exponential talent.
His ability to drop in the hole between the opposition midfield and defence to pick out a defence splitting pass is unlike any other forward in Europe.
Kane’s movement and technical capacity would be a seamless fit for Barca but again with their need for a long-term replacement for Ronaldo, Madrid would be a frontrunner.
He ticks all the boxes for both, though. He’s young, ambitious, scores goals and crucially has the mental fortitude to be a success in Spain.
The Premier League’s best always end up in La Liga and Kane could be the next to outgrow it.
SUITABILITY
Real Madrid: 5/5
Barcelona: 5/5
Harry Kane
MARCUS RASHFORD
The youngest of the five and understandably the most raw as well but with Zinedine Zidane keen to continue their long-term investment in youth, Rashford is viewed as a logical target.
Scoring on every debut for United in the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Manchester derby, the 20-year-old has embraced the responsibility bestowed by Jose Mourinho.
Rashford’s flair and athleticism is married to an work ethic to apply his precocious talent and primarily used on the left of a United three behind Romelu Lukaku, his defensive intensity and acceleration going forward are rare qualities from English attackers.
We’ve truly yet to see the best from Rashford because he’s a victim of his versatility, though. He’s swapped in and out the team with Anthony Martial and opportunities to spearhead United’s attack have been infrequent.
Granted, they’re aren’t many elite sides in world football’s so trusting of a 20-year-old but in 33 games this season he’s returned just nine goals and it’s indication he’s still some way from the likes of Real and Barca.
Tentative in front of goal and often on the fringes of play out on the touchline, it’s fair to say Rashford is still a work in progress rather than ready made for a move abroad.
SUITABILITY
Real Madrid: 3/5
Barcelona: 3/5
Marcus Rashford
