Tottenham Hotspur Links: Harry Kane’s Future is with Tottenham

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) runs on the field during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. MLS All Stars defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) runs on the field during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. MLS All Stars defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s somewhat late, but here’s the latest Tottenham Hotspur Links to read on Thanksgiving while you enjoy the day with family.

It’s a light edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links due to Thanksgiving and family time for everyone including Hotspur HQ’s writers. So let’s get to the three stories on tap for today. The first story is Mauricio Pochettino feeling very confident that Harry Kane will remain a Tottenham Hotspur player following today’s win and another goal scored. Up next, Steven Gerrard talks about how Dele Alli is progressing faster as a player for both club and country at 19, better than he was when 19 for Liverpool. Lastly, there’s a quick round-up of which clubs have already advance to the Round of 32 in this year’s Europa League. And now onto the links below.

RELATED: Tottenham Links: Mauricio Pochettino Wants an Easier Schedule

After scoring his 10th goal of the season in tonight’s Europa League match (nine goals in six games), teams are now lining up bids to try and sign Harry Kane from Tottenham during the January transfer window. This has promoted Mauricio Pochettino to say that Harry Kane’s future is with Tottenham.

“I am happy that a big club want our players – this is because they show they are a top player with top performances. It is good when they are linked,” said Pochettino. “But Harry, like Hugo Lloris, wants to stay here. He is one of the best players and he is very happy. He wants to grow up with us and try the next few years to try for the top four and win titles with Tottenham. This is his challenge.”

Dele Alli is a Liverpool supporter with his idol being Steven Gerrard and it was thanks to the Miracle of Istanbul when Gerrard helped captain the Reds into one of — if not — the greatest football comebacks in history. And definitely the best UEFA Champions League final in the competition’s history.

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Because of this, Steven Gerrard took some time to talk about Dele Alli’s progression in his young career.

“He looks ahead of me as far as England games and appearances are concerned. He’s got more experience because he came through at MK Dons which has helped him progress and make the impact he has done at Tottenham,” Gerrard told BT Sport.

“He’s a very exciting player; We’ll have to see how his career works out but he’s got all the tools to become a top player domestically, but also in Europe as well. I was acutally disappointed Liverpool didn’t sign him. I thought he was certainly a player Liverpool might’ve tried to go for, especially with me coming to the end. He’s certainly a player that could play for Liverpool for 15 years, he’s got that ability.”

With Tottenham winning 1-0 over Qarabağ FK, Spurs booked their place into the Round of 32 in the Europa League. Joining the north London club are some of Europe’s secondary elite teams this year, meaning that the Lilywhites journey to the final in Basel, Switzerland is just beginning.

Here’s the list of clubs who have advanced (alphabetical order):

Athletic Bilbao — group winners
Basel — group winners
Braga
Borussia Dortmund
Krasnador
Lazio — group winners
Liverpool
Napoli — group winners
Rapid Wien
Schalke 04
Spartha Praha
AS Saint-Étienne
Tottenham Hotspur
Villarreal

Next: Tottenham Advances into the Europa League's Round of 32

There’s still one more game to play in the group stage and 20 teams who can still qualify. But the list above already shows quite a few teams who will be a challenge for Tottenham to beat. Last season, Spurs had a relatively easy group and a very favorable draw against Fiorentina in the knockout stage, before bowing out of the competition in the Round of 32. This year, they won’t take their opponents lightly anymore.