Now Kane and Lukaku are ready to rumble

PREMIER LEAGUE HOT-SHOTS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD

TWO of the game’s hottest strikers could go head-tohead at Goodison Park today, when Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane do battle for vital Premier League points.

But it could all have been so different if Tottenham had gone through with their bid to buy Lukaku from Chelsea. It was summer 2014 and Chelsea were taking offers for Lukaku but it was Everton, having had the Belgian on loan for a season, who won the race and Kane felt the benefit.

Kane — expected to be passed fit to play today after a knock to his knee against Stoke — had made a few appearances under Tim Sherwood but it was Mauricio Pochettino who sparked his rise to international stardom.

In his last 50 League games, Kane has scored 41 goals and Spurs defender Ben Davies said: ‘Harry is a massive player for us. His mindset is purely scoring goals which you don’t see too much of in the game now. You have to be selfish about scoring goals to be a top striker. You have to want to score goals every time you are on the pitch.

‘With Harry he wants to play in every minute of every game to give himself the chance to score the goals. It’s great to have someone like him.’

Kane and Lukaku, both 23, arrive at White Hart Lane locked together on 17 goals this season. Lukaku’s quest to become more prolific actually began at his home in Belgium in the summer of 2015.

Lukaku spent days working on his fitness at the local park and kicking a ball against the wall, trying to improve his touch and control. He returned to Everton in much better shape and has not looked back.

‘I’ve worked really hard,’ said Lukaku. ‘I’m grateful to every person that helped me throughout this journey but I am not done yet.

‘There is still a lot to improve on. I’m relishing the challenge.’