We won’t cane Kane says Poch
BIT PART: But Vardy scored in 2-1 defeat by United MAURICIO Pochettino has made it clear that Tottenham know best when it comes to Harry Kane’s fitness.
The Argentine has hit back after claims his star striker has not looked sharp since the World Cup and needs a rest.
“I respect all opinions,” said Pochettino, speaking ahead of today’s Premier League clash against Fulham at Wembley.
“I only have my own truth. We all have our own truths about what we see and how we manage. We can’t explain how we manage players behind the scenes.
“The people outside don’t know how Harry Kane was after playing 90 minutes last week.
“They don’t know if Sunday Harry was off, Monday off or training or relaxation or one session or in the gym. Be sure that I am not going to take a risk.
“If we are conscious that we would be taking a risk, be sure he is not going to play. But the 25-30 people who are coaches, sport scientists and physios here, we talk a lot about fitness health and everything.
“If we are wrong it is 25-30 people who are wrong. When we take a decision about health, it is not a football decision.”
Kane played 59 games for club and country last season, topped by the run to the World Cup semi-finals.
He has defied ankle ligament injuries in each of the last two campaigns to bounce back.
Despite the suggestions that he returned too soon after last season’s efforts, Kane went on to defy expectations and lift the World Cup Golden Boot in Russia.
HARRY’S CURSE HARRY KANE goes into Tottenham’s clash with Fulham today seeking once more to end his bizarre August goalscoring drought. Here we look at his record in August:
Yet television pundits Glenn Hoddle and Gary Neville were among the ex-pros who suggested Kane did not look fit at the tournament. Kane has had just one full close season off – last summer – in four years: two years ago he was in France for the European Championships and the year before played in the Under-21 equivalent. Last week Kane, who became a father again this looked below-par Tottenham’s Premier win at Newcastle.
It reignited suggestions that Pochettino should give his Golden Boot winner a break to rediscover his edge.
But the Spurs manager insisted he and his coaching team would never take risks with the England captain.
Pochettino maintained he would continue to rely on his trusted coaching staff to manage the welfare of Tottenham’s most valuable player. He added: “The summer, despite League responsibility is for assistant manager Jesus Perez, who coordinates everything, to tell me ‘this player can play and it’s not a risk’. But you know in football, it’s always impossible.
“The most fit players can get injuries. Of course if this happens someone will say you made a bad decision. But it is not easy.
“You know very well that taking decisions is the most difficult thing. The easy thing is to give your opinion when the thing happens or after the result.” Jokanovic blaming a training injury for his absence. But Bettinelli tweeted: “For everybody that’s asking, I am not injured!”
An unimpressed Jokanovic said: “Nobody can be hurt and show soft character. Be brave, push hard, work for the position.”
Fulham signed two top-class goalkeepers during the transfer window. Fabri, a £5m capture from Besiktas, started against Palace while Sergio Rico, signed on loan from Sevilla, was on the bench.
Both have Champions League experience and former England Under-21 goalkeeper Bettinelli has an uphill battle to win back the gloves.
But Jokanovic added: “I am happy with three quality goalkeepers. I am not thinking in the direction [of a loan]. He must work and fight for his chance.”