DON’T KILL KANE
Poch admits Spurs star is hurt by taunts over goal he ‘stole’
HARRY KANE has been hurt and surprised by the ridicule of Premier League players, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed yesterday. The England striker did not expect such a reaction to his claim he got a touch to Christian Eriksen’s cross for the winner against Stoke last Saturday.
Kane was successful in his appeal and is now on 25 goals, but Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah — his rival for the Golden Boot on 29 — is among those who have questioned the call.
Pochettino said: ‘ Harry is disappointed because he never wanted to create this. Tottenham fans will back Harry but other fans will kill him. People
have opinions and that is normal.
‘Sometimes it is a small or simple thing and it becomes bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and you cannot stop it. That is what has happened. He is going to learn a lot from this.
‘He never thought that this situation was going to go on to such big things when he was so certain he touched the ball.
‘It is normal that he is a bit disappointed because, of course, Harry Kane and all of our players have Twitter, Instagram, everything.’
The disputed goal is worth a significant sum to Kane. The striker’s £110,000-a-week deal at Spurs includes a substantial goal bonus. His boot deal with Nike is also likely to include a Golden Boot bonus, which would see Kane earn a sevenfigure sum should he win it for a third season in a row.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose has been ruled out of tomorrow’s home match against Manchester City with a calf injury.
It is a blow to the 27-year-old left back’s hopes of making England’s World Cup squad.