Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OVER AND DOUBT
Kane admits: We just can’t compete with City’s financial muscle.. and their dominance undermines rivals’ self-belief
HARRY KANE says Tottenham will never be able to match Manchester City’s big-money squad of superstars.
And the Spurs striker believes the pack chasing City now have doubts in their minds even before games kick off because they know the title race is already over.
Kane’s comments will worry Spurs, who know he is anxious to win silverware and is coveted by trophy-hunters Real Madrid.
While Kane insists Tottenham can still win the title in seasons to come, he confessed that Pep Guardiola’s league leaders are streets ahead of the rest.
Kane, in an interview with DIRECTV Sports, said: “I think we’ve got a fantastic squad here at Spurs but I don’t think we’re going to be able to have the same squad as Manchester City and teams like that because they obviously spend a lot more money than we do. “I don’t think money guarantees you the title but, when you talk about the strength of a squad, it definitely helps.
“It’s difficult to have as many top players as that and keep them all happy but you can’t argue with the strength of their squad.
“I think they’re going to win the league this season, but they spent a similar amount last year and didn’t win it.
“And the year before Leicester won it. So money doesn’t automatically bring you the title.” Kane says Tottenham’s title march this season has been halted by inconsistency. After just 22 Premier League games they are already 21 points behind City
“It’s about momentum and getting on a good run,” he said. “Earlier in the season we hit a few speed bumps and couldn’t get that momentum going, whereas in the previous two seasons we went on good winning streaks and gained momentum.
“Now we’ve just got to take each game as it comes and see where it takes us.”
Tottenham, languishing in fifth place, are facing a battle to reach the top four, and Kane admits that City’s results this season – including a record-breaking winning run – have left their rivals feeling beaten before they even start.
“When a team dominates the way City are dominating, opponents perhaps have doubts in their mind before games,” he said.
“It’s a snowball effect – when a team goes on a longrunning run, things tend to go their way and other teams maybe don’t perform as they should.
“Look, City have this season done what no other Premier League team have done so all we can do is focus on our results and get up as high in the league as possible.”
The England striker, Europe’s top scorer in 2017, claims Tottenham can still win silverware, even if it’s not the title.
“We’ve been good but I think we can do better,” he said.
“There have been games we should have won but didn’t, but we’re still in the fight for the top four, still in the FA Cup, and still in the Champions League.
“It’s important that we get into that top four – that’s got to be the aim.”