Fernando Llorente first goal for the club set us on the road to victory against Swansea on Tuesday night, but according to an article on Sky Sports after the game Mauricio Pochettino made no secret of who will lead the line when they return to action against West Ham on Thursday.
The article describes how Harry Kane was only fit enough for a 22-minute substitute appearance at the Liberty Stadium having picked up a headycold last week, but for Pochettino it was enough. “We saw it was difficult for him to run, but I think it was a good training session for him to prepare for the next game,” he told Sky Sports. He added: “We hope he will be well in the next 24 hours and he can be ready to play against West Ham.”
It goes on to say that Llorente had marked his first Premier League start for Spurs by scoring the opener from Christian Eriksen’s free kick adding that It was a reminder of the Spaniard’s qualities – only Romelu Lukaku has scored more headers since the start of last season – but while the goal was well taken, this was also game also showed how much Spurs depend on Kane.
It adds that Pochettino denied that he had introduced the 24-year-old earlier than intended in his post-match interview, but the article adds in reality is that the flow of the game forced his hand, with us only managing seven shots in 68 minutes when Kane stepped off the bench.
“I think it was difficult for the team and for him, too, to play in these conditions,” acknowledged Pochettino afterwards.
We badly needed some inspiration and even in his half-fit state, and the article says Kane was able to provide it, with a stunning cross-field pass which set up Dele Alli’s late goal, a standout moment of individual brilliance in a game
It was a nervy second half, but Alli’s finish banished fears of a late Swansea leveller and sealed an important win.
“If he’s not on the pitch they don’t score it,” said Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness afterwards. “He’s got his head down so he shouldn’t be seeing that pass, but he does. That’s how good he is.”
Pochettino added: “He doesn’t only score goals,He can assist, he can play, he can build. He’s a very complete striker.”
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The article goes on to say that Kane’s brilliant form has put Llorente in the unusual position of being a fully fit £12m signing who has had to wait the best part of four months to make his first Premier League start of the season and even though he scored he will now prepare for Thursday’s game against West Ham knowing he will be back on the bench.
“Who can you compare with Harry Kane at the moment?” added Souness. “It’s unfair to compare him and Llorente because Harry is such a special player. Llorente can’t be fully up to speed because he’s not played enough games. Strikers have to be bang on it, they have to be sharp, and only playing games gives you that. So you’re going to miss Harry any day of the week.”
The article concludes by saying I t is why Pochettino will be so happy to welcome Kane back into the team at the earliest opportunity especially considering he has scored seven times in his last six Premier League appearances against West Ham. And after a successful “training session” in South Wales, you wouldn’t bet against our talisman adding to that tally on Thursday night.
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