This time last year, the talk surrounding Harry Kane was all about whether he could beat out the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to end 2017 as Europe’s leading scorer.
He did so, of course, ending the year with 56 goals for club and country, propelling himself into world’s elite in the process.
Yet, somehow, a year which saw him end one Premier League season by breaking the 30-goal mark again, win the World Cup Golden Boot and start the next league campaign with six goals in 12 appearances – two off the league lead – has seen persistent questions over his form and fitness raised.
In fairness, Kane did look off-colour to start the season. It says a lot about his status, however, that six goals from 12 league games and a further four from four in the Champions League counts as a drop in form.
A dip, if there ever was one, was understandable given Kane’s exertions at the World Cup, and then a shortened summer as he rushed back for club duty.
But the striker now looks to be back to his best, and he grabbed his first England goal of the season on Sunday – his first international goal in seven fixtures – to ensure his team’s spot in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
8 - Harry Kane scored eight goals for England in 2018, the most by a player in a calendar year since Wayne Rooney scored eight in 2014. Mantle. pic.twitter.com/H0d7khvlcC
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 18, 2018
It was a typical captain’s display, capping a comeback as England fought from 1-0 down against Croatia, with Kane grabbing a dramatic late winner. Yet it was his performance in his previous appearance for the national team that showed that the Tottenham striker was well and truly back.
Without scoring a goal, Kane’s fingerprints were all over England’s stunning 3-2 win in Spain last month. He assisted two of England’s goals, setting off Marcus Rashford with a raking long ball and then passing across goal for Raheem Sterling to tap in England’s third.
Those were the moments that showed up in the highlights, but his all-around display on the night delivered so much more. Set up to play on the counter against Spain’s dominant possession-based style, England knew that Kane was always an easy out ball, the figurehead of Gareth Southgate’s well-drilled counterattack.
Matched up against Sergio Ramos, Kane won all four of his offensive aerial duels. He proved too much to handle for the Spanish captain and centre-back partner Nacho, as his physicality, link-up play, and positional awareness helped England tear Spain apart.
Spain cannot handle Harry Kane tonight. He pulling them all over the place. Two assists so far, terrific movement and hold up play. Involved in the first goal as well. Lovely ball from Barkley to find him for the third as well.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) October 15, 2018
Coming off the back of that, it’s no surprise that the 25-year-old ended up being the man to score the winner on Sunday. He again won 100 per cent of his offensive aerial duels – six of six this time – and it took some heroic defending and goalkeeping to stop Kane from scoring before he eventually did.
His form for the Three Lions should provide encouragement for Tottenham, as well – if eight goals in his last 10 club games weren’t encouraging enough.
Spurs head into their weekend fixture against Chelsea just five points off the Premier League lead, and though it seems their status as title contenders is perpetually in doubt, the game is another opportunity for both Tottenham and Kane in particular to make a statement.
Despite making their best-ever start to a Premier League season, there have been murmurs of discontent around Spurs this campaign. Kane’s form – he went three games without scoring earlier in the season, which is what constitutes a slump in his world – was in doubt, and manager Mauricio Pochettino has been critical of his side much more often than usual this season.
This is how it feels to score the winner for @England at Wembley... 😀#ThreeLions #England 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/Z8P89qjEJO
— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 18, 2018
They also fluffed their lines in their previous two title tests this season, losing to Liverpool and Manchester City, both times at home. Those results were so disappointing that the sheen quickly wore off their 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford – though United’s own form also has much to do with that.
Yet, it’s a testament to their consistency outside of the big games that they’re only five points off the top. And a win on Saturday will take them above Chelsea in the table, up to third.
With their star striker looking back to his best, though, Tottenham can dare to dream again.
