England could be forced into a penalty shootout at Euro 2024, and while Harry Kane is the Three Lions' default option from 12 yards, there are 12 players in the squad who boast better records
England's Euro 2024 knockout-round fate brings the looming threat of penalties closer to reality - and Harry Kane may not be the key.
Despite being Gareth Southgate's go-to for spot-kicks, research indicates that 12 other squad members may be better equipped for the task than captain Kane. That includes a number of stars who are yet to miss from the spot thus far in their careers.
The Three Lions are set to face Slovakia on Sunday after topping Group C with a meagre two goals. A potential quarter-final against Switzerland or Italy could follow, the latter having defeated England in a shootout to claim the Euro 2020 title at Wembley three years ago.
Given the tense nature of England's campaign so far, a penalty shootout seems increasingly likely. However, TopOffshoreSportsbooks.com (via the Daily Express), has analysed every player's penalty records (including shootouts) from Under-18 level onwards, and there are no fewer than 12 players in Southgate's team more reliable than Kane from the spot.
Bayern Munich's goal machine has taken over double the number of spot-kicks as any other England squad member, successfully converting 79 of his 90 career attempts. This equates to an 88% conversion rate, which is of an elite standard considering the volume of tries.
Despite not having played a minute in Germany, Brentford's Ivan Toney also has an impressive record with 93% of his spot-kicks finding the back of the net. With 40 attempts (37 scored), he is the only player who comes close to Kane in the current squad and had recent experience with a successful conversion against Belgium in March.
Calls are growing for Cole Palmer to start against Slovakia, and he just so happens to have an impeccable penalty record. He has scored all 15 of his penalty attempts from Under-18s onwards, and his ability to handle pressure was key to Chelsea's late surge up the Premier League table last season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Jude Bellingham, Lewis Dunk, Kyle Walker, Ezri Konsa, John Stones and Luke Shaw all boast 100% penalty records. And it's just as well considering any among the contingent could be called upon by their boss in the event of a shootout.
England players with better penalty conversions than Harry Kane
- Ivan Toney - 37/40 (93%)
- Cole Palmer - 15/15 (100%)
- Eberechi Eze - 8/9 (89%)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/7 (100%)
- Conor Gallagher - 6/6 (100%)
- Jude Bellingham - 4/4 (100%)
- Lewis Dunk - 4/4 (100%)
- Kyle Walker - 2/2 (100%)
- Ezri Konsa - 2/2 (100%)
- John Stones - 1/1 (100%)
- Luke Shaw - 1/1 (100%)
- Jordan Pickford - 1/1 (100%)
Despite not having taken a senior penalty for England, Alexander-Arnold's contributions at Liverpool have helped the team secure FA Cup, League Cup and European Super Cup titles. Similarly, Real Madrid's Bellingham has shown he can handle pressure, successfully taking a penalty in a shootout that saw Manchester City knocked out of last season's Champions League.
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is an even more surprising entry on England's list of perfect penalty-takers, having made history when he stepped up in a shootout against Switzerland during the UEFA Nations League in 2019. The Everton No1 is usually on the receiving end of spot-kicks but would likely relish another chance to switch positions.
Not to be overlooked, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze just edges out Kane with an 89% success rate, having scored eight penalties from his nine career attempts so far. His first effort was a miss for Queens Park Rangers, but the winger - who made his Euro 2024 debut in the draw against Denmark - has netted a pristine eight from eight since then.
While Kane seems unlikely to relinquish his role as England's primary penalty-taker anytime soon, the team can take comfort in the fact that they have some impressive alternatives. However, the pressure at Euro 2024 will be unlike anything most of these players have experienced in their careers so far.