Leicester boss praises Kane

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson was full of praise for Harry Kane and admits that his meteoric rise to fame was not something he was expecting.

The current golden boy of English football endured a frustrating loan spell at the King Power Stadium towards the end of the 2012/13 season, scoring just twice after being restricted to what was mostly a bench role by Pearson.

The Foxes boss readily admits his rise since then has been “exceptional” – highlighted by this week’s maiden England call-up and his first Premier League hat-trick.

“He was two years younger for a start,” Pearson said of the change in 21-year-old. “You’ve got to put it into context that we were not in a good run at that point.

“It’s never easy for a young player on loan to come into a side that’s not on the top of their game, and have the impact that you may want

“But he did very well in his time with us, but I don’t suppose anybody at that point would have seen the rise he’s had.”

Kane’s treble against the Foxes made him the Premier League’s top scorer – a feat made all the more remarkable given the first of those 19 goals did not arrive until November 2.

Now he goes away with England for matches against Lithuania and Italy – recognition Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes is wholly deserved.

“I think it’s a very good thing for him, after scoring three goals,” the former Argentina international said. “It’s a very good moment to be in national team.

“I think Harry is today, a player who people prize a lot. I think that this season Harry has a big impact in the English football. I think that he’s one of the better English players so far.

“I think he’s a very humble person. From the beginning of the season, I think he impressed us, his human side. His mentality, always wants to improve, never complains. I think it’s a perfect mentality to develop his skill.”

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