Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have been the face of Tottenham Hotspur for nearly a decade. The two teammates connected for their Premier League record 37th goal when Kane assisted on a Son goal to make it 4-0 against Leeds United.
The Spurs teammates surpassed the record of 36 set by Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. After the win, manager Antonio Conte spoke to the media at his news conference, where he was asked about the importance of the two players.
Conte stated that many applaud what Kane does with the ball, but the 28-year-old can do plenty of things without the ball.
“You know very well the importance. Harry’s performance today was incredible, with the ball. But I want to underline, without the ball. Many times I have seen him to run and follow the defenders to tackle and win the ball,” Conte said, Football.London.
“When you have your best player doing this on the pitch, it is a fantastic example for the other players. I have seen a great unity and solidity, not only on the football aspect but also the mental aspect.”
Conte also stated that if his best players can play off the ball, it will go a long way in how the squad plays. He wants to see his players play like warriors and make it difficult for the opposition to play against them because they follow the lead of their best player.
“If we improve in this aspect, we can become a strong team. I want to be the coach of a strong team. In the past, the characteristic of my teams have always been difficult to play against, not only in the football aspect but in the spirit and desire. I want my players to be warriors, and our opponent has to feel this,” Conte said.
“For this reason, sometimes I use soft words, sometimes I go strong with the environment, with the people that work with me. I am demanding to myself a lot. For this reason, my demands to the others have to be the same.”
Conte has to realise the level in ability of some of his players, unfortunately they are not all Kane, but have a look at the level of commitment from Ben Davies yesterday when a Lloris howler let Leeds in for an easy goal. His desire to prevent them scoring shows the determination and passion for the team which can only be applauded, and is contrary to the belief some have, that players don’t care, no interest to many but well worth mentioning imo.