Kane: I want to be as good as Messi and Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have redefined the parameters by which any goalscorer is now measured and, ahead of another chance tonight to shine on football’s elite club stage, Harry Kane described those records as a source of inspiration rather than intimidation. “I use it,” said Kane.
“With social media these days it’s difficult to stay away from it. I want to be one of the best players in the world, so when people put it up and I see I am close to those players, it is a great incentive to get closer and go to the next step.”
After more than three seasons of devastatingly reliable delivery in the Premier League, that next step is the Champions League. With 25 goals in 23 league games in 2017, Kane is behind only Messi in the ‘big five’ European leagues and, against Apoel Nicosia tonight, will expect to build on a record already of four goals in his four games in the Champions League.
Kane admitted that he has set himself a series of new goal targets – although he wants to keep those to himself – but clearly knows that replicating the off-field diligence of Messi and Ronaldo will be key to realising his ambition.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will probably want to give Kane some rest tonight if he can but, with seven first-teamers missing through a combination of injury and suspension, his options are limited. Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen were already suspended and the unavailability of Mousa Dembele, Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama and Danny Rose was expected but the late loss of Christian Eriksen through illness is a big blow.
Although Tottenham have started this Champions League campaign positively with a win against Borussia Dortmund, there is also an appreciation of the chance tonight to consolidate that position ahead of back-to-back fixtures against Real Madrid. “There are no excuses – we must win,” said Pochettino. “It’s so important for our future in the Champions League. We will miss Christian but we need to move on. I’m not a manager who cries because someone cannot play.”
The limited availability means that Spurs may again need to adapt their formation, although Ben Davies, who has been playing in place of Rose, believes they are far better equipped this season to deal with the tactical challenge of Champions League football.
“We want to show people we can compete at this level,” said Davies. “Our performance against Dortmund was excellent. It was different to how we went into games last season. We were a lot more solid and patient. I think the main thing we learnt was you have to be totally prepared for the team you play and cannot play the same way against everyone. We can’t always go gungho at sides like maybe we do in the Premier League. I think we’ll be able to compete on two fronts this season.”