Welcome to #EuroRank, a weeklong look at the top 25 players we expect to see at the European Championship. Over 50 ESPN FC experts and writers from across the globe voted, and we're rolling out the results right up to opening day, when France plays Romania on June 10.
Why is Harry Kane in the top 25?
His second season as a frontline Tottenham striker proved just as good as his first and the chances are that he will lead the line for England in France. He is far more than a mere goal scorer. Kane performs as both a target man and playmaker, and ghosts into space while creating holes for teammates with which to work. And when opponents find him cutting in from an inside left position, using his right foot, they are usually already in big trouble.
What the experts say about Kane:
"I think he is the nearest thing to Alan Shearer. Shearer is the greatest centre-forward England has ever had -- the stats would suggest that -- and I think Kane will come close to him." -- Graeme Souness, April 2016.
"He has the right people around him and he will be a really good player for years to come. I'm sure he'll be a great player for England and score a lot of goals." -- Wayne Rooney, September 2015.
Career highlight:
Kane, not far removed from being a reserve striker who was sent out on loan four times, devastated Chelsea on Jan. 1, 2015 serving as the inspiration for a 5-3 victory at White Hart Lane in which he scored twice and won a penalty.
Stat of the season:
Scoring 25 Premier League goals made him the first English Golden Boot winner since 1999-00, when Sunderland's Kevin Phillips won that accolade.
What next for Kane after Euro 2016?
Though new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reported to be a huge fan of Kane, it is difficult to believe that he will be anything other than Spurs' standard bearer for years to come.
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