Harry Kane’s return last night was not quite as triumphant as we’d have hoped. We have come to expect too much from the striker but by his high standards, it was one of the worst Kane performances I can remember.
Of course, I understand that the 26-year-old can’t possibly be in peak shape, but it was his positional play and not his fitness which most concerned me.
Andy Gray did this interesting piece of analysis on Kane on beIN SPORTS – and yes before he and Richard Keys were the equivalent of your dad’s two friends who your mum hates, Gray actually said things worth listening to.
🕵️♂️ Andy Gray discusses Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane’s positioning for Spurs in the draw against Man Utd:
— Last Word On Spurs🎙 (@LastWordOnSpurs) June 20, 2020
🗣”Harry Kane is fifteen-yards outside United’s penalty box from open play. I do not want Harry there, not in open play.”#THFC #COYS #TOTMUNpic.twitter.com/HrEhCbPJKR
Kane’s deep position in that clip shows why we were finding it so difficult to get out under increased Manchester United pressure. We had no out ball.
The roaming Kane of two or three years ago used to affect the game in these areas by putting tackles in and making lung-bursting runs tracking back, but here he is a passenger inviting United’s defence free passage upfield.
Kane’s average position has dropped deeper and deeper in recent times, influenced by his role in the England team. He can be a lethal playmaker from deep, but we need to find others to pick up that creative burden to allow Harry to spend more time on the shoulder and in and around the box.
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Harry had no service, and I don’t know why you’re shocked by his lack lustre display after a long lay off, maybe you missed The Champions League Final.