Shearer says defence and Kane key as England chase World Cup victory

MANCHESTER, England, June 5 : Former England captain Alan Shearer believes the current side can compete with the best at the World Cup but does not expect them to win it, saying key factors must fall into place for a serious challenge.

Shearer, who led England at the 1998 World Cup and remains the Premier League's all-time top scorer, said the squad had the talent to compete but might fall short against stronger teams in the latter stages.

"I think with the talent that we have… success, I guess, is winning," Shearer told reporters on Friday. "But when you think about who you're going up against, Spain or France or Brazil or Argentina, maybe Portugal, I just think as you go deep into the tournament, (there will be) squads better than England."

He said England's hopes would hinge on defensive strength and the form of captain Harry Kane.

"If we defend really well and Harry can do what he's done, then we have got a live chance of winning it," he said of the Bayern Munich striker, who topped the Bundesliga scoring charts for a third straight season with 36 goals. "If we're going to go deep, then Harry has to fly."

Shearer also urged patience with manager Thomas Tuchel, saying he must be allowed to shape the squad in his own way and make big decisions, even if they proved unpopular.

"He might have left some better players out but in terms of harmony, he felt he was better off going with the players that he chose," Shearer said. "He has to be allowed to do that."

He pointed to the controversy around Paul Gascoigne's omission from the 1998 squad as an example of how selection debates could dominate build-up, stressing that performances on the pitch were what mattered most.

Squad management would also be crucial, particularly in what are