Despite Tottenham’s inconsistent form this season (16-5-9), currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, one young lad might be their saving grace. 21-year old Harry Kane, a product of Tottenham’s Academy System, is lighting up the league this season, scoring 19 goals and getting 3 assists in 25 games. Following two goals at QPR and a hat-trick at home to Leicester, Kane now leads the Premier League race for the Golden Boot and is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in Europe’s top leagues.
As a youngster, Kane played in Arsenal’s academy for one year before joining Tottenham aged eleven. Rising through Tottenham’s Academy programme, Kane began to develop as the total forward: showing ability to pass, score and create chances, and put in a defensive shift. In the 2009-10 season, Kane scored 18 goals in 22 matches for Tottenham’s U18 squad, while also making multiple appearances on the first team bench. After a loan spell at Leyton Orient, Harry Kane made his first appearance for Tottenham in August 2011. Gradually he began to cement his place in the first team, even if only as a substitute at first, and is now the first name on the Tottenham team-sheet along with Hugo Lloris. Subsequent to being named both January and February 2015 Premier League Player of the Month, the 21 year-old signed a five-and-a-half year deal worth £45,000 a week to stay at White Hart Lane until 2020.
“This (contract) is another stepping stone and hopefully now I’ll push on again from this and get even better,” said Kane in February. “All you can do as a footballer is try to get better and better and that’s what I aim to do, to get better, score more goals and play better for the team.”
Five days later, the newly-retained Kane scored both of Tottenham’s goals, his 21st and 22nd of the season, as Spurs came from 1-0 behind to beat North London rivals Arsenal 2-1.
Although his recent success this season doesn’t prove the Englishman’s class definitively, it does speak volumes as to his recent eye-catching performances and rise in prominence as a rising star for Spurs. Kane’s outstanding display this season supports the excitement surrounding the up-and-coming forward.
“I’m only 21 and I’ve a lot of football ahead of me,” explained Kane. “I’ll keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard for the team and for the club. I’ve been at Spurs since I was 11 and always loved the club. I’ve been here 10 years now and hopefully there are many more good times to come.”
With continual success at club level, the talk of a national squad call-up comes into question. The London-bred footballer has represented England at U17, 19, 20 and U21 level. Kane has had his fair share of those doubting whether he deserves a place in the England squad, but after scoring against top clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal, he has recently earned his first England call-up. Roy Hodgson said this about him.
“Is he worth a place in the squad now? Of course he is,” said the England manager. ”I think he’s got the qualities that you’re looking for in a center forward.” You can very much expect Kane to be included on the England squad for the Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley on March 27.
”If you can be a star at a top team like Tottenham at the age of 21 then you’re doing pretty well.” explained the Hodgson.
Many Tottenham fans are now comparing Harry Kane to Gareth Bale, and it seems that he is the man for Spurs to rely on in years to come as they look to create another glory era.
