Tuchel says 'full package' Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d'Or

Thomas Tuchel says Harry Kane should win the Ballon d'Or after a season in which the England captain scored 73 goals, and Kane is the bookmakers' favourite for the award next month.

Speaking to ITV, the England head coach was asked directly whether Kane deserves it.

"Yeah. After this season, yeah," Tuchel said. "70 plus goals. Three titles with Bayern Munich. Semi-final, two semi-finals, semi-final at the World Cup. He's getting better and better. He's added a level of physicality to his match. He's just so committed to high press and so committed to being involved in every part of the match, be it deep build-up, be it finishing, be it build-up play in the middle block, be it defending. He's just the full package."

Kylian Mbappé, Rodri and Lamine Yamal are named as the other leading candidates.

The ceremony is normally held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. This year, for the 70th anniversary of the award, it moves to London for one night. The move honours Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956 as a Blackpool player.

Four Englishmen have won it: Matthews, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Michael Owen in 2001. Kane would be the fifth, and the first in 25 years.

He also has a record within reach. Kane can equal Peter Shilton's 125 caps across England's four Nations League fixtures, which begin against Spain on Saturday. He will be 36 when the next World Cup kicks off in the summer of 2030.

If the voters follow Tuchel's reasoning, the trophy would be presented to Kane in London, in the city where the award marks its anniversary. That would put the season's goals, the three titles and the World Cup semi-final ahead of the other candidates' claims.