One of the biggest surprises of this 2014-2015 Barclays Premier League season has been the emergence of 21-year-old Harry Kane for Tottenham Hotspur. Coming into the season, only truly dedicated Spurs fans even knew the young Englishman’s name, but after scoring both goals in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over hated rival Arsenal in the North London Derby, he’s on his way to becoming a club legend. But just who is this young Englishman and how did he get so bloody good?
Kane was born in the North London suburb of Chingford, and from a young age was already destined for footballing greatness. Amazingly enough, Kane actually spent a year with Arsenal’s academy when he was 8, before moving over to Tottenham at age 11. Evidently his ability to work in possession as a third grader wasn’t enough to impress Arsene Wenger. From there, he advanced through the ranks of the Tottenham Youth system, and was a regular fixture for his country, representing England at the U17, U19, U20, and U21 levels.
Kane made his debut for the Tottenham senior club in 2011 in a Europa League qualification match against Hearts. From there, he would make sporadic appearances for Spurs, but he had loan spells at Leyton Orient, Milwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City, before joining up with the Tottenham senior squad for good for the 2013-2014 season. Kane would make 19 appearances for the club in all competitions during that season, scoring 4 goals. A solid contribution from a youngster, but it portended nothing about what was to come this campaign.
Kane began this season as a substitute off the bench against West Ham United, but his form on the pitch proved he wouldn’t stay there for long. He scored in both legs of Tottenham’s Europa League qualifying match, then added a hat trick in the group stage. He even was forced to play in goal after Hugo Lloris was sent off with no substitutes remaining. His time in goal proved he was human as he let in a goal after dropping a free kick.
Kane’s form has only improved as the campaign as progressed. Against league leaders Chelsea in January, Kane scored two goals and won a penalty that led to a third as Spurs thrashed the Blues 5-3. But it was against archrival Arsenal that Kane truly earned himself a permanent spot in the hearts and minds of Spurs’ supporters, as his two goals rallied Spurs from a goal down to defeat the Gunners and leap ahead of them in the table. After the match against Liverpool, he has scored an astonishing 23 goals in 35 matches in all competitions and has brought the most unthinkable, unexpected gift to Tottenham supporters: the feeling of pure joy.
Harry Kane scores his 23rd goal of the season against Liverpool on Tuesday evening.
What is it that makes Kane so good? He doesn’t have blistering speed, he doesn’t have a rocket foot, and he doesn’t have irresistible technical ability. But what he has in spades is determination and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Whether it’s a perfectly timed run into the box or being in the right position to slam home a rebound, Kane scores a number of goals that don’t necessarily dazzle you with their brilliance or beauty. In that regard, he reminds me of when Frank Lampard was at his peak for Chelsea. Pundits and fans continually underrated Lampard because he wasn’t physically or technically overwhelming, but he was an incredible footballer and his goal tallies speak for themselves. Playing as a forward, Kane will have the opportunity to score even more goals than Lampard did in midfield.
At only 21 years of age, Kane has an extremely bright future, but where will that future play out? There are already rumors that Kane could follow in the footsteps of the last Spurs superstar, Gareth Bale, and make his way to Real Madrid, to the point he has been referred to as “Real Madrid’s Harry Kane” on many outlets on social media. As the locals would say, it’s just another shade of white, innit?
If Tottenham fails to establish itself as a permanent fixture in the Champions League, there is definitely the possibility that the homegrown Kane could look for a bigger stage with brighter lights than White Hart Lane, which would be devastating for Spurs. Football fans can be extremely provincial about their players, especially for players that have come up through the club’s youth system. Chants of “he’s one of our own” by the Spurs’ faithful ring out in White Hart Lane to serenade their new hero on a weekly basis:
In addition to his bright club future (wherever that may be), his form all but ensures he will be picked by England manager Roy Hodgson for the next round of European Championship Qualifying matches at the end of March. Kane is the next great hope for frustrated English fans, who now dream of a partnership up-front with Kane alongside Daniel Sturridge to play ahead of Wayne Rooney, who will be pulling the strings. Assuming those three players can all stay fit (Daniel “they call me Mr. Glass” Sturridge especially), that would be an extremely dangerous attack for the Three Lions. Then again, things like “optimism” and “expectations” do not play well for England. So let’s just pump the brakes on that one for now.
Kane’s season has been a dream and the culmination of many years spent out on loan at small clubs and steady progress through the ranks of the English national team. His form, along with that of teammate Christian Eriksen, has given Spurs’ supporters hope of Champions League qualification, which seemed unthinkable earlier in the season. If Kane can continue to score at his current rate (10 goals in his last 10 matches), Tottenham will be in every match and will challenge for 4th place. Enjoy him while you can Spurs fans, there may not be another one like him for a long, long time.
This sums up how Spurs fans feel about Kane.
Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @thefootiegent
Totally borrowed “White Hart Kane” from Arlo White, sorry Arlo.
