MY ACCOUNT
Harry Kane returns to the England squad this week for the first time since missing a crucial penalty against France at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions skipper sent his spot kick skywards in the dying minutes of the quarter-final to send domestic team-mate Hugo Lloris and Les Bleus through to the last four in December.
Since then, the Tottenham striker has suffered even more heartache as his boyhood club were dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League earlier this month.
With Antonio Conte publicly hounding his players as “selfish” in a recent press conference, Kane will be relieved to step away from his domestic duties.
Ahead of the upcoming European Championship qualifiers, we turn the spotlight on England’s talisman.
Focus on the positives
Kane has seen his fair share of managers come and go at Spurs but his focus will be on helping his national side kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with wins over Italy and Ukraine.
His missed penalty at the Al Bayt Stadium before Christmas prevented him from becoming England’s all-time top goalscorer but he will surpass Wayne Rooney with his next strike.
One more goal for the Three Lions would put Kane clear on 54 and provide a huge bout of relief for the goalscorer who is yet to lift a single trophy in his career.
The 29-year-old can still make the 2022-23 campaign one to remember through his international accolades rather than success in the Premier League.
Only Erling Haaland has scored more than Kane’s 21 goals in the top flight this season and the marksman’s personal form has not faltered despite the troubles in North London.
Perfect timing
Pundit and ex-striker Stan Collymore is one of several professionals who have urged Kane to move on this summer.
Following Conte’s recent outburst, the former Liverpool striker said: “The situation at Spurs is giving Harry Kane the perfect excuse to leave in the summer.
“He’s never had an easier way out. Seriously, who is honestly going to begrudge him a move elsewhere now?
“This summer is going to be possibly his last opportunity to move on and go to a club that stands a real chance of winning some major silverware.”
Nothing personal
Kane has had a role in most of the major finals Spurs have been in during the last decade, but he has not been able to drag them across the line on any occasion.
The 80-cap international was close to joining Manchester City two years ago as his quest for glory continued, but he was restrained by Daniel Levy and his protests had no effect on negotiations.
Now, it seems that a similar situation may arise in the summer, with both Bayern Munich and Manchester United said to be keen on signing the London-born finisher.
Kane’s contract is set to expire in 2024, which gives Levy one more year to obtain a significant fee if they are to sell him.
Tottenham’s vice-captain has always maintained that he wants to win silverware with his current club but it seems an increasingly difficult task.
It seems he would be willing to depart if he has to and under the current circumstances, it would be difficult for Spurs fans to hold a grudge if he were to leave.
On top of his game
Speculation has surrounded Kane for much of his career, but one certainty about the marksman is that he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.
For all of the issues and defensive tactics under the Italian head coach this term, Spurs’ vice-captain has still been able to record one of his best-ever campaigns.
In the Premier League this season, no other player has recorded more shots (100) or shots on target (46) than Kane.
He has also created nine big chances in the top flight, with only 10 others tallying more than the 6ft 1in powerhouse.
So while his future remains unclear, Kane can take comfort in knowing that he can still perform at a top level, even in difficult circumstances.
