HARRY PLOTTER
HARRY KANE has both the ability and character to recover from his Euro 2016 nightmare and thrive at Tottenham this season.
Kane – the Premier League Golden Boot winner with 25 goals in the last campaign – was one of the England flops in France when Roy Hodgson’s men crashed out against Iceland.
But Spurs legend Clive Allen – scorer of 49 goals for Spurs in one season some 30 years ago – believes Kane will respond with more goals for the club where he has become a folk hero.
Allen ( below) said: “Harry looked t i red during the European Championship in France. He just didn’t seem the same player as he did in the Premier League last season.
“And, as for him taking corners for England, well, I just couldn’t understand that. You want your strikers where they can score goals – in the penalty area.
“Maybe he looked below par because this last summer was something like his third in succession when he didn’t have a proper break. That has to have an effect.
“But I know Harry well. I knew him as a kid when he first came to Spurs and he has proved one thing beyond any doubt – that whenever he is faced with a challenge, he faces up to it and comes through it successfully.
“I am sure he will do the same again this coming season.”
The signs are positive. Kane scored twice in Spurs’ 6-1 friendly win over Inter Milan on Friday.
Allen also feels that Kane, 23, will benefit from the arrival of Holland international Vincentcent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar for r £17million.
“Harry will benefit from Ja n s s e n coming to the club, no question,” said Allen.
“For a start, it will giveive the manager Mauricio uricio Pochettino another option if he feels Harry needs a break. And, just as importantly, it will be competition for Harry.
“If he feels his place is under threat, it’s bound to add something to his game.
“I know I felt like that and I am sure most players do – that if someone comes in and does well in your position, you know you have to fight to get back in the team.
“But, as for any lasting effect from the Euros, no. I don’t think there will be for Harry. You have to remember how he had to battle to establish himself at Spurs in the first place. He was going out on loan everywhere before he got his chance – and he took it really well.”
What Allen – who coached as well as played for Spurs – would like to see is Pochettino’s men last the course this season after the way they faded last season, from title contenders to third place.
“That was a bit of a concern,” he said.
“If you look at their last 12 matches, they won four, lost four and drew four. They will need to improve on that to challenge again for the title.
“They have to be in with a chance.”