It’s hard to recall the last time Harry Kane made it through a season uninterrupted, a recurring nightmare Tottenham has still not found a workable solution for.
Every year it happens, and each time we discuss what it means for Tottenham. Perpetually walking on eggshells, Kane’s glass ankles degrade further each time one of them gives way. And each time Kane limps off favouring either ankle, everyone associated with the club thinks to themselves, “here we go again, or what now?”
Aside from the obvious — that Kane will miss at least a few weeks of action — a number of questions arise, a few of which will invariably cause Daniel Levy and Jose Mourinho many forthcoming sleepless nights.
What is the immediate solution?
There is no way Mourinho will play Bergwijn and Bale together, especially with Son Heung-Min’s place guaranteed in the starting team. Bale should start on the right with Vinicius up front and Son on the left. At least give Bale a chance to show Spurs faithful he still has some magic remaining in that left boot of his.
If Vinicius fails to step up to the challenge, Bergwijn or Son could play up front, with Bale, Giovanni Lo Celso and either Bergwijn or Son lining up in support of the lone attacker. It’s not like Mourinho doesn’t have a few options at his disposal. Only time will tell if any of those options bear fruit, but at least the gaffer, unlike last year, isn’t grasping at straws when drawing up viable solutions to an ever-occurring conundrum.
What it means for Tottenham & Kane’s long-term future
Kane’s market value decreases every time he limps off favouring an ankle. That’s a fact Levy must come to terms with. This is the sixth time Kane has suffered a ankle injury that will keep him sidelined. One has to wonder how many times Kane can recover from an injury that continually weakens his overall foundation. His ankles are already heavily strapped pre-match, but that doesn’t prevent them from flipping like a dolphin in open water.
Kane is no good to anyone watching from the sidelines, especially during the business end of the season. Unfortunately that exact scenario has become commonplace. Is there an alternative solution, as Spurs clearly cannot rely on their talisman during the most crucial part of a season.
One solution would see Spurs offloading Kane for a bundle of cash. But will Levy be satisfied with the offers he receives for the legendary Englishman?
Seeing your most prized asset’s overall worth drop must be a hard pill to swallow for Levy. But it’s a reality he must quickly face. There is no easy solution in this case. Rest assured, though, Levy will be busy brainstorming all of his options. Because surely he cannot continually watch his club’s season unravel in an instant, with an innocuous flip of not just one but either of Kane’s vulnerable ankles.