Harry Kane admits Tottenham will struggle to silence their detractors until Mauricio Pochettino delivers his first trophy as manager.
After challenging for the Premier League title in each of the last two seasons, Spurs have made another fine start to the campaign, demolishing Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley on Sunday to move level on points with second-placed Manchester United and five behind leaders Manchester City.
Kane appeared to feel discomfort in his hamstring when he was substituted in the 89th minute and is likely to be rested for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against West Ham. The 24-year-old said the problem was only cramp but, with United around the corner, Tottenham will be hoping Kane’s diagnosis is correct.
Spurs visit Old Trafford on Saturday and will do so full of confidence after Kane scored twice against Jurgen Klopp’s team, with Dele Alli and Heung-min Son also on target.
Tottenham have also been impressive in the Champions League, yet Kane realises they must win a major trophy sooner or later — their last was the League Cup in 2008 — to move to the next level.
“People will always have this little doubt about us until we start winning things,” said Kane. “Performances and results like we produced against Liverpool was something we maybe didn’t do as well at last year, so if we can continue that this year it will be good. With United losing at Huddersfield on Saturday, it gave us a chance to catch them up and next week is going to be a massive game. We’re looking forward to it.”
Kane’s double made it 15 in as many games this season for club and country — and an astonishing 45 in the calendar year. While the numbers do not quite rival those produced in the past by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Kane is certainly heading in the right direction.
The England striker’s stated aim is to become the world’s best player, and he had the chance to meet one of the game’s greats before the match in Diego Maradona.
The Argentine, who was invited to Wembley by Tottenham, remains a close friend of Spurs legend Ossie Ardiles and is the idol of manager Mauricio Pochettino. Kane and captain Hugo Lloris spoke to Maradona before the match and Kane was left hugely impressed, even though the language barrier made meaningful conversation difficult.
“He was such a down-to-earth, great guy,” said Kane. “That’s what it’s about, meeting these people, just feeling their good, positive vibes and using that in my game. Maradona was good, chatting, laughing, joking, good energy about him. Everyone would probably be in awe of him. What a player he was and it was great to be in his company.
“He was speaking in Spanish, so I didn’t understand much, but he was very energetic. He said some nice compliments, not just to me but to the team and to the manager.
“I’ve told you before, at some stage I want to be the best player in the world and to do that you have to be up there with these players. They set the standards, Ronaldo and Messi, so for the rest of us it’s about trying to catch them and get up there. The numbers are good but, for me, it’s more important to be winning these big games against big teams. It shows we are coming together as a team and getting better.”