Life after Kane - are England facing a false nine future?

Harry Kane will be approaching his 37th birthday when the 2030 World Cup comes around [Getty Images]"It's too early to talk about that," said England captain Harry Kane, when asked if he would still be around for the 2030 World Cup.The striker fielded the question just minutes after the Three Lions had suffered the crushing 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta that denied them a first men's World Cup final since their sole success in 1966. You could not blame him for swerving a definitive answer, yet it was a pertinent question.

After a tournament where England's attack relied almost exclusively on Kane - he has six goals along with Jude Bellingham - what are they going to do when their all-time record goalscorer retires?This is a player who has captained his country ever since former manager Gareth Southgate gave him the armband nine years ago - and has led from the front with 85 goals in 124 appearances.Time, though, will eventually catch up with the Bayern Munich forward.

England do at least have time for succession planning as, barring injury, Kane will be around for the home Euros in two years' time. But he will be 33 in 10 days' time, and turn 35 shortly after that tournament ends.Realistically, there is a strong chance Saturday's third-placed play-off against France in Miami for the bronze medal will be the final act of his England World Cup career.

He will be nearly 37 by 2030's edition.So what does the future look like for England when he does call time on his international career?Could Delap develop?

Liam Delap was tipped to be part of England's World Cup squad before a disappointing first season with Chelsea [Getty Images]Does England boss Thomas Tuchel only really have trust in Kane as it seemed in this World Cup?In their seven matches in North America, he played almost every minute.Kane was only substituted twice, with six minutes left against Panama and one minute remaining in the last-16 tie with Mexico.

Did this workload take its toll as the tou