The feeling amongst many around Tottenham is that Harry Kane, the club’s record goal scorer and talisman for so many years, is heading for the exit. Undoubtedly, his departure would leave a chasm. That is obvious to all.
The saying goes that no one is bigger than the club – but in to be brutally honest, over the last few years, Harry has got mighty close to being so.
However, as Graham Roberts said, “The crest on the front of the shirt will always be bigger than any name on the back” – and I for one adhere to this statement.
Thus, Kane will be replaced both as a player and as an icon. However, I would argue that Tottenham should not seek to replace Harry this summer and not enter the transfer market to buy another striker.
This may not be a popular sentiment, but, hear me out…
(Photo by Amphol Thongmueangluang/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Have we done our Due Diligence?
Going into the summer transfer window, not many at the club expected to be in this position. Everyone could see Manchester United sauntering in, attempting to dine off past glories and making grand overtures – stumping up plenty of quotes from former players but not much in terms of money.
Not many saw the possibility of a) Bayern Munich being so persistent in their chase and b) Harry Kane seemingly so open to the lure of the glitz and glamour of the Bundesliga.
Therefore, replacing him this summer did not seem to be forefront of the very long ‘to-do’ list. From a fan’s perspective, the transfer process at Tottenham seems haphazard at best and getting a deal like this done adequately appears to be a long shot.
Occasionally the club gets deals done quickly, like with James Maddison, but then again a stopped clock is still right twice a day.
It would make more sense for the infrastructure at the top of the club to be in place (see later on) and, hopefully, cohesively running, as we look for a new frontman.
Similarly, Ange’s tactics will evolve at Tottenham, just like they have at his other clubs. It might take him several months to work out what type of striker compliments the players in the team currently.
Which attributes will best serve the team? Diving headlong into signing Kolo Muani or the like off the back of a good season and impressive international tournament – Roman Pavluychenko anyone?
Although exciting, it would appear rushed and based on very little due diligence.
I understand completely that this view will not go down well with some fans, but I have seen this before with Tottenham and strikers, especially those who have never played Premier League football. I give you these names (in no particular order): Iversen, Rebrov, Postiga, Soldado and Jansen.
Admittedly, there is an element of risk with all transfers, but I would rather the club made a mistake after doing their homework thoroughly and with the right people in place.
No Director of Football and a CFO gone MIA
As I alluded to before, if we were to embark on a search for a striker right now, who would be orchestrating it?
The Scott Munn situation is bizarre, to say the least (FootballLondon) and as much as we expect he is working behind the scenes, it is not the same as being front and centre spearheading proceedings.
That said, it would not necessarily be Munn’s job to organise this search, that would be the role of the director of football. However, at the time of writing, not only is there not a Director of Football at the club, but progress on appointing one seems to have stalled, with the latest news being that Tiago Pinto had ruled himself out of the running (iNews).
This may be, in some part, down to the fact that Fabio Paratici is still working with the club in an ‘advisory role’ (FootballLondon). This is purely speculation on my part, but I wonder if, with the reduced terms of Paratici’s ban, Levy is going to use him in the ‘advisor role’ until he can slip back into his old position when his 30-month ban is complete.
No matter who takes these roles and when, I would rather they were in charge of ‘Operation Replace Kane’ in an official capacity so that ‘COYS Daniel’ has as little to do with the proceedings as possible.
We Have Enough Cover – Just
Ironically, despite being our best player, by some distance and more, Ange Postecoglou would have to amend the way his formation works to accommodate Harry in the line-up.
In his previous sides, the forward three press like demons in an attempt to win the ball back high up the pitch. Kane, for all his attributes, is not this player.
Arguably, Richarlison, with his work ethic and relentless running could complement the system. Although I do not think he has the calibre to be the long-term replacement, in the interim he could ‘do a job’ so to speak.
Most of us have been pleasantly surprised at how Manor Solomon has started life in a Spurs shirt and this could free up Son Heung-Min to play down the middle as an auxiliary forward – if needed.
The Goals Will Come From Other Areas
As impressive as Harry Kane’s numbers were last season – and they were staggering given the team he was playing in, it was concerning how much Tottenham relied on him for goals last season.
However, the hope would be based on history and what we have seen in preseason so far, is that goals will come from a plethora of sources this season, not just the central striker.
Even from the friendlies against West Ham and Lion City, we have seen attempts at goal from the likes of Bissouma, Sarr, Lo Celso and Maddison, along with our wingers and front man.
This is common with Postecoglou teams, indeed in his first year as Celtic manager, not one player scored over thirteen goals in the league but seven players scored over six goals (BBC).
Even last year, with Kyogo netting 35 times in all competitions, four other players also reaches double figures across the whole season (BBC).
Other Priorities – Centre Backs Anyone?
This point has been laboured into the ground by virtually everyone associated with Tottenham Hotspur. But having a Kane replacement is far less important than bringing in two quality centre-backs to sure up the defence.
For whoever is working on the transfers, please stop focusing attention on the likes of Kessie Sport (30/07/23 via Sport Witness) and just focus on the priority.
Without a doubt, if he goes, Kane will be a great loss. But the key word throughout pre-season has been ‘patience’ and giving time for Ange to build his team.
The club should extend this to signing Kane’s replacement and hopefully avoid having an expensive panic buy on our books, who we will be unable to get rid of for years to come.
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