Roberto Martinez has praised Harry Kane as one of European football’s most talented goalscorers ahead of Belgium’s meeting with England in the Nations League on Sunday.
Martinez will take charge of Belgium for the 50th time in the upcoming fixture. It is a milestone the former Wigan and Everton boss will share with Kane, who is expected to earn his 50th cap during the fixture.
Roberto Martinez Lauds Harry Kane’s England Career
Kane Boasts Remarkable International Scoring Record
The milestones keep coming for Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane this season. The 27-year-old recently passed the 150-goal mark in the Premier League and has now scored over 200 goals for his club.
Belgium manager Martinez is impressed with Kane’s record and reserved particular praise for the striker’s development on the international scene and hard work as a young player.
“I didn’t know about our landmark of 50 games [coming] in the same game”, said Martinez in quotes carried by Sky Sports.
“But with Harry Kane, I know much is demanded for a player nowadays to get 50 caps and I think that shows you the commitment that he has for England,” added the Belgium manager.
“I had the opportunity of seeing Kane developing and growing as a player, going out on loan from Spurs and then starting to play. I think he’s evolved into one of the most clinical number nines in world football and you’ve got a very modern target man in Harry Kane – someone who can assist and play and has got great finishing stats.
“I think he is a very complete striker but it’s a wonderful story of seeing a young player develop – going out on loan, getting different experiences in different clubs and then becoming this iconic player for Spurs and for England.”
Kane Backed to Beat England Record
Wayne Rooney currently holds the record for most goals scored for England, having netted 53 times as an international. Gareth Southgate, however, is backing Kane to surpass that number.
Kane has scored 32 England goals in the five years since his debut and has Rooney’s record firmly in his sights. “In terms of what is possible, the goalscoring record is the really interesting one because his strike rate for us is phenomenal and he has time on his side to chase Wayne Rooney’s record which would be a remarkable feat,” said Southgate of the challenge facing the striker.
“I know from his perspective, while the personal achievement is something he is driven towards, it is the team achievement [that matters most]. He is so focused on the team having success and he would want to look back over the next few years at the team achieving.”
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