Harry Redknapp confesses that he had his doubts over whether Harry Kane was good enough for the highest level during his time with the Tottenham academy.
Harry Kane was not a natural academy gem
Kane was coming through the ranks during Redknapp’s time at Spurs and it is fair to say that almost no one at the time expected the striker to become the kind of player he has.
The centre-forward was not even considered the most talented player in his age group at the time and his struggles out on loan in the EFL only raised further suspicions about his fit for the Premier League.
Kane never looked back once he got an opportunity for the senior side but Redknapp confessed that it was not always clear that he would end up this good.
Harry Redknapp on the early Kane days
The former Spurs boss told talkSPORT: “He was a young player, we felt he would be a player. But what level? Even then, we couldn’t sit there and say ‘he is going to be a Premier League player, for sure and he is good enough to play for Spurs’.
“Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand, who were working with him, they had great belief in him, but who could envisage that he could go on to get 100 caps and be what he has become?!
“He was a good all-round player, you thought ‘is he quick enough? Is he this?’. He was decent at everything without being fantastic at anything, but he worked and trained.”
However, Redknapp revealed that Kane’s work ethic and his determination to get better were evident from quite a young age.
The 77-year-old added: “He was one of them boys that every day after training, he was out on the training ground. He would put his spikes on. Do sprints and wanted to get quicker. He was also a good lad.
“He deserves what he has done. It’s fantastic – I would certainly say he is a legend. His goalscoring. He has the full package. He does everything. Absolutely top level.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Kane is the ideal role model for young players to look up to as absolutely nothing was handed to him on a plate. The striker was not blessed with natural athleticism and is proof of the fact that you can reach the very top if you have the right kind of mentality and continue working hard at your game.