Is Tottenham talisman Harry Kane in doubt for Manchester United match?
By Gary Pearson
Reports about Harry Kane’s fitness are circling ahead of Spurs massive visit to Old Trafford on Saturday, with Mauricio Pochettino being expectedly cryptic about his talisman’s status.
Kane was replaced in the final minutes of Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Liverpool on the weekend amid speculation that the club’s marquee asset had suffered a slight hamstring pull. The gaffer quickly quashed any suspicion, denying the rumours outright.
However, the gaffer was a bit more subdued and not so defiant in the aftermath of his team’s 3-2 Round of 16 Carabao Cup defeat at home to West Ham last night.
About his first-choice striker’s fitness, Pochettino replied to beIN Sports’ question:
“We’ll see. We need to assess the team, we were forced to rotate (tonight) for different reasons.”
This is by no way an admission of a potential Kane injury. He is being cryptic for many reasons, not least of which to keep Jose Mourinho and his Red Devils side guessing.
If the Premier League’s top goal scorer is forced to withdraw from the battle for second place, you’ll know the issue isn’t as minor as first thought.
Rest assured, Kane will start against United if there is no risk of any long-term injury. His competitiveness is unparalleled and the medical staff know full well they’ll have to either tie him down or come up with a conclusive reason to keep him from taking to the Old Trafford pitch.
Kane’s long-term health is more important than any single match, no matter how crucial. Where does that leave Pochettino and company if Kane is forced to withdraw on Saturday?
Fernando Llorente created Spurs first goal against West Ham last night with an intelligent and deft bit of skill, his first-time flick with the outside of his boot creating bundles of space for Son Heung-Min to run into. Even though the target man, and only forward, was withdrawn with 20 minutes to play – and with Spurs trailing – you’d still expect him to start against United.
If Pochettino decided to leave Llorente on the bench, he’d be forced to start without a definitive front man, instead employing Son and Dele Alli as Spurs most advanced players.
Next: Tottenham lose to West Ham in Carabao Cup Round of 16
It’s a system we’ve yet to see from the gaffer and, while improbable, I’m not willing to discount anything, particularly when it comes to Pochettino, who has a knack for finding unconventional solutions and is as resourceful a manager as they come.