Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A FER CRACK OF THE WHIP
Kane KO could prove Llorente’s big chance
FERNANDO LLORENTE is set to play a key role for Spurs in their pursuit of glory in the Premier League and in Europe.
Star striker Harry Kane is a major doubt for tomorrow’s clash with Manchester United because of a hamstring injury.
That also leaves a question mark against his availability for the big Champions League showdown with Real Madrid at Wembley next week – and now manager Mauricio Pochettino is ready to turn to Llorente as Kane’s replacement.
Kane, who had a scan yesterday, has scored 13 goals as Spurs have climbed to third place in the table – just behind United but level on points.
Llorente, however, has yet to score in five appearances since his £13.5million summer move from Swansea and the Spaniard lacked sharpness in the 3-2 League Cup defeat by West Ham on Wednesday.
But with Kane missing, the 32-year-old former Juventus and Sevilla star will finally be given his chance to step out of the shadows.
Pochettino admits he struggled to sign a striker prepared to play second fiddle to Kane.
After signing Llorente he said: “It is difficult to find a player who wants to come to be on the bench as everyone recognises Kane is one of the best strikers in the world.
“For a club like us it is not easy to find the right player under these circumstances. That is why Llorente is perfect for us. He fits very well into our project.”
How Llorente fills Kane’s boots could be a sign of how sustainable Tottenham’s Premier and Champions League challenges can be.
But just as important will be the reaction following the setback against the Hammers – Spurs led 2-0 at half-time and appeared to be coasting.
“We conceded a goal and then the game changed,” said Belgium international defender Toby Alderweireld. “In that situation we have to do better.
“Everybody is disappointed but we have to learn from that moment. On Saturday we have a big game and we have to focus on that.”
Alderweireld acknowledged that the League Cup exit may bring high-flying Spurs down to earth after a memorable week – a highly impressive 1-1 draw against Real at the Bernabeu in the Champions League followed by a 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool at Wembley in the Premier League.
“I think it is a good reality check and a reminder that you still need to work very hard to get results – even if you are 2-0 up,” said Alderweireld.
“You have to keep the level up because if you drop a little bit you see what happens. It is a good thing to learn. Of course we would have loved to have won but we don’t have to be too dramatic about it. Next time we have to do better and now we focus on Saturday.
“Naturally we are disappointed. Of course we didn’t want it to happen but we have to pick ourselves up and think about Saturday. There is a big game coming and we have to stand there and be ready for it.”
Alderweireld feels Spurs will reap the benefits of a hard preseason as the congested fixture list leaves less time for training.
“The pre-season was very tough and that was for one reason – to be ready and have the muscles ready for the big games,” he said. “So I think we are ready for it.”