Back page When it comes to deciding the best players in the world, people will often point to the trophies they have won.
It’s not the decisive factor, as football is a team game, but it’s an easy way of looking at things, and the truly elite players often have a trophy cabinet to back up their brilliance.
However, one man who does not is Harry Kane. There won’t be many arguing with the fact that the Spurs striker is one of the deadliest number nines around. He is ruthless in front of the goal, and his golden boots do prove how good he is.
Great result and an important clean sheet. Got to finish it off next week. pic.twitter.com/2iQjGTFEpS
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 11, 2021
Yet, at 27-years-old, Kane has still not won a trophy. It’s quite remarkable but true. And, it’s hard to see when he will win one, or certainly a major one. The fact his Spurs side are 6/1 in the Premier League top four finish odds shows they aren’t even expected to reach the Champions League.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that there won’t be many neutrals who give Kane any chance of landing Europe’s top prize, or a Premier League medal, whilst he remains at Spurs. The Europa League and the League Cup are achievable, but would that even be enough?
After all, we are talking about a player who is capable of breaking Alan Shearer’s all-time record for top-flight goals. A player who has won the Golden Boot at the World Cup. A player who should still have five or six years left at a very high level.
With that in mind, Kane has to start thinking about what may have previously been unthinkable. He needs to consider leaving Spurs.
Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that could prevent a deal from happening, such as Kane having three years left on his deal, and Daniel Levy’s notoriously tough stance on transfers. Plus, the fact Erling Haaland is expected to be on the market, at a more affordable price, won’t help the Englishman at all.
Nevertheless, there would still be plenty of admirers for Kane, from the select group that could possibly sanction a deal. That’s because goalscorers don’t come around too often.
But, to secure a switch away, Kane may have to push for a move. As someone who is adored by the Spurs fans, and hugely respected in the dressing room, acting up would appear to be difficult for Kane. It would certainly ruin some of his legacy if he did so.
Harry Kane is now Tottenham’s second all-time top goalscorer with 209 goals 💥 pic.twitter.com/CrH3AzmJ4n
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 10, 2021
Yet, he may have to be selfish as he approaches a critical period in his career. With huge investment not expected at Spurs, it’s going to be a challenge for them to reach the top four, never mind to win leagues.
Kane must look on in envy when he watches inferior strikers at other clubs pick up the biggest prizes on the planet, whilst he is still to pick up any trophy in his career.
Ultimately, the opportunity to move to a Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, to name two potential destinations, isn’t going to be around forever. So, Kane may have to think about himself this summer if he wants to look back on a career that produces the trophies to back up his talent.
