In case you missed the Harry Kane phenomenon, here are a few headlines and comments since his double against Arsenal in the north London derby.
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“Scouted by Real Madrid three times”, declared the Daily Mail, “I’m struggling to see a weakness in the lad’s game”, said former England midfielder Danny Murphy while adding that England should, “build the team around him”. “A Soccer Star without Superlatives” led the Wall Street Journal, while Jamie Redknapp has named him as his Player of the Year so far.
There were jokes about him not winning a BAFTA, countless memes while Arsenal fans were keen to share pictures of him from his childhood wearing red and white. Only Lionel Messi has scored more in 2015 across Europe’s major leagues, his 0.64 goals-per-game puts him ahead of Wayne’s Rooney’s rate when he was 21, while his goals have won more points than any other player in England’s top-flight this term (15).
He is having an incredible campaign but the appeal stretches beyond his 22 goals and huge impact.
Firstly, he’s that long-romanticised and revered ‘classic English No.9’. A big, powerful striker who evokes memories of Alan Shearer. A battering ram who wears his heart on his sleeve and what he perhaps lacks in technique more than makes up for in attitude. It was what helped generate so much hype about Andy Carroll in 2010.
There’s also the surprise element. No one outside of the Tottenham academy foresaw this as he wasn’t a hyped teenager like Raheem Sterling or Luke Shaw. How he’s fired his way to the top – hard graft, understandably, resonates.
Consequently the clamour for an England call-up is considerable.
That’s not to say he doesn’t necessarily deserve a place in England’s squad for their European 2016 qualifier against Lithuania in March but, if he is as good as what we’ve seen so far, Roy Hodgson needs to play the long game.
Harry Kane scoring again, good to see a young English player doing very well, we’ll have Sturridge and Kane up top for England, looking good
— Jack (@J4ckConnor) February 7, 2015
If he is to be a fixture in the team, let alone being the foundation for the side as Murphy suggests, the focus should be on taking him to the European Under-21 Championships this summer. For too long, whether it be the power and influence of the Premier League or an innate apathy towards it, the tournament has largely been ignored by the English. Previous squads in 2011 and 2013 have been absent of the country’s best prospects. When you consider the talent Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and even Switzerland have taken to the last two tournaments, there is a feeling England aren’t getting the most out of it.
Never mind how they may fare, as federations and coaches across Europe will testify to, it is perfect preparation for the European Championships in France in 2016.
The same goes for Ross Barkley, Saido Berahino, Calum Chambers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Shaw; those expected to be key components of the senior squad. Those call-ups would show the extent at which the FA values the importance of the Under-21s, instead of it being seen as an annoying obligation or a step down in quality.
A cameo against Lithuania and a few friendly appearances, however impressive, could give Spurs ample justification to ask for Kane to not play in the Czech Republic. And while he will gain the confidence and accolade of being a full international, a chance to focus on the future rather than the present (a continuing theme of English football) would have been missed.
