I will step up to the big stage, says Kane
HARRY KANE believes cracking the Champions League this season will prove he is a world-class striker. The Tottenham talisman will lead the line for Mauricio Pochettino’s side tonight against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Kane has already established himself as Spurs and england’s first-choice striker, and the 24-year-old has spoken openly about his desire to be seen as one of the best players in the world, in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
‘I have said before I want to break into that world-class bracket. To do that you have to play well in the Champions League,’ he said.
‘It’s a big stage, all the best players in europe, if not the world, are here. And to be the best you have to produce your best against the best. I have six group games to prove that by hopefully scoring as many goals as possible and performing well.
‘I’ve scored two goals in three games in the Champions League so hopefully I can continue scoring and just try to do my best.’
The onus will fall heavily on Kane tonight as Dele Alli serves the first of a three-game european suspension. Alli was sent off for a reckless tackle on Brecht Dejaegere in a 2-2 draw with Gent at Wembley last season, which saw Spurs knocked out of the europa League in the round of 32.
They found themselves in europe’s secondary competition last year after finishing third in their Champions League group, with two defeats out of three ‘home’ games at Wembley. Their poor form there has continued this season, with a defeat and a draw from the first two league games at their temporary home.
Victory tonight would be the perfect way to banish their so-called Wembley hoodoo.
‘I laugh a little bit because maybe it exists, the hoodoo, no?’ said boss Pochettino. ‘I remember three years ago when I started, it was difficult to get a positive result at White Hart Lane.
‘I think Wembley is similar. We need to adapt our game, we need to feel that it can be home. The last few games at Wembley, we played really well and deserved more in terms of results.
‘But sometimes in football, it’s not only about playing better than your opponent and maybe we needed to be a little bit more clinical in front of goal.’
Tottenham’s path to the knockout stage looks no easier this season, with holders Real Madrid, Dortmund and Cypriot side Apoel nicosia in Group H. But Pochettino feels his side will benefit from last year’s campaign.
‘Last season was our first experience of the Champions League,’ he added. ‘Previously we play europa League, for 98, 99 per cent of the players, and for myself, too.
‘That experience is important. We know very well what the competition demands from you, and that is so important.’
english Premier League sides have struggled in the Champions League in recent seasons, and Pochettino believes it is a cultural difference.
‘Managers like Pep Guardiola are now starting to realise how tough the Premier League is, how difficult it is to arrive fresh to compete in the europa League or Champions League,’ said the Argentine.
‘The other leagues in europe are completely different and only when you are here do you realise how tough it is to keep the same level in Premier League and european competition.’