Sutton backs England star for goal bonanza
Former England striker Chris Sutton believes Gareth Southgate’s No.10 will be inspired by the disappointment of losing out to Mo Salah in the race to be the Premier League’s top goalscorer and make a global mark in Russia. Sutton, who partnered legendary frontmen Alan Shearer, George Weah and Henrik Larsson during his 20-year playing career, recognises the right ruthless streak in Tottenham talisman Kane. Sutton (right) said: “Harry was extremely magnanimous about being pipped to the Premier League Golden Boot by Mo Salah. “But I can tell you that, deep down, he will be absolutely gutted. “The best strikers don’t settle for second best. “I was lucky enough to play with some of the very best in Shearer, Weah and Larsson – and they lived for scoring goals. “They all broke all kinds of scoring records, but it was never enough. “George was two-time World Player of the Year, while Alan and Henrik were mentally stronger than any other players I played with. They were nice guys off the pitch, but, once they crossed the white line, they became ruthless.
“They wanted to be No.1 – and I see exactly the same with Harry Kane.
“You can be sure that he will be aiming to go to the World Cup and finish as top scorer.
“And I think he would take the World Cup Golden Boot ahead of the Premier League Golden Boot.”
Sutton added: “I know Harry got a lot of stick for appealing to the Premier League recently when a goal against Stoke was given to Christian Eriksen, but I thought that was brilliant.
“Most people won’t understand that mindset, but it’s what makes good players great.”
Sutton, who will be at the World Cup working as a match-day summariser and pundit for the BBC, noted: “Kane hasn’t had it easy.
“His career hasn’t been handed to him on a plate. He’s had to work and scrap to make every forward step.
“First, he showed his hunger by going out on loan to a number of lower division clubs.
“Then, after having his first great year with Spurs, he was labelled a one-season wonder, but he quickly dispelled that myth.” Sutton, however, is adamant that Southgate should resist the temptation to make Kane his captain at the World Cup.
The former Norwich, Blackburn, Chelsea and Celtic man believes Jordan Henderson must get the armband after finally filling Steven Gerrard’s boots and leading Liverpool to the Champions League final.
Sutton said: “Henderson has grown into the captain’s role at Liverpool and the euphoria of leading them into the Champions League final makes him the outstanding candidate.
“He took a bit of criticism at the start of the season, but he has come through that and I now see him as a mainstay of the England team. “It should not be forgotten that Jordan had to fill the boots of Steven Gerrard.
“That’s a big task – both in terms of being Liverpool’s captain and a central midfielder – but he has now come through that.
“Is he like-for-like when compared to Gerrard? Definitely not. But he is a bloody good player and a real leader.” ■
Kane’s career hasn’t been handed to him on a plate