Harry Kane described as potent mix of Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham by iconic former Tottenham striker

The England captain has been in red-hot form at the start of the season

Karl Matchett
Wednesday 18 November 2020 17:47 EST
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Harry Kane celebrates another winning goal
Harry Kane celebrates another winning goal (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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Harry Kane has started off the new season in exceptional form, creating and scoring chances in equal measure to propel Tottenham Hotspur toward the top end of the Premier League.

Spurs are just one point off first place heading into the weekend matches, when they will face Manchester City in a crunch clash - though both sides are facing a number of absences for the game.

Kane has thrived this season under manager Jose Mourinho, not just as a goalscorer but also as a creative hub for his team, with the likes of Son Heung-min benefitting enormously from Kane’s ability to pick a pass from deep areas.

That twin threat in the final third has led former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand to wax lyrical about the current No. 10, pointing out his game is a mix of two other England international strikers who were counted as among the best at their respective traits.

READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time

“The thing I used to say about Harry is that he had the shooting power of Alan Shearer, and the guile of Teddy Sheringham, in terms of being able to drop into that hole,” Ferdinand told the Spurs website.

“As he wasn’t the paciest [as a youngster], he made that position his own, and he knew when to drop into the midfield and pick the ball up for us. It was a great addition to the way he played. He developed that and turned more into a number nine."

Joking that Kane was now as good as both former Spurs strike partners Ferdinand and Sheringham put together, “Sir Les” - now director of football at Queen’s Park Rangers - said that he noticed from very early on in Kane’s career when a significant moment came, after a failed loan spell and his reaction to it.

“People always ask me, ‘when did you see the change?’ and when Harry was on loan at Leicester [in 2012/13], he didn’t have the best time there, he came back, and something clicked.

“He’d be in early in the morning, working in the gym on his weights. He had the bit between his teeth. We let him loose and he’s not turned back! He’s gone from strength to strength since then [and] he’s getting better all the time. We all speak about his progress, and I’ve nothing but admiration for him.”

Kane has seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season in eight games and his England manager Gareth Southgate has recently said he expects his captain to break the all-time goalscoring record for the national team.

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