Jurgen Klinsmann makes Spurs and England prediction for Harry Kane

Jurgen Klinsmann has revealed that he can see Harry Kane leading England to the World Cup trophy in Qatar.

England have come very close in the last two major tournaments under Gareth Southgate – falling at the semi-final stage in Russia and losing ag0nisingly on penalties to Italy in the final of the last European Championship.

Harry Kane
(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

The Three Lions will be hoping to go one step further time around and win their first major tournament since 1966, and Klinsmann believes that they are heading into the tournament as one of the favourites.

The Spurs legend told The Daily Mail: “If I look at England, the squad knows it is strong. It has proved it over many years. There is a progression in place.

“They played a fantastic tournament in Russia. Then they played a fantastic Euros but didn’t win it, unfortunately. So now if you are a player or manager with England, your expectation is: We have to go to Qatar and win this thing.

“The same thing exists with Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain. They go to World Cups to win. England are in that company now.

“This is their moment to catch. The pressure is there but it’s nothing to get too nervous or stressed out about. The players have to prove their point every couple of days in the Premier League and the Champions League and they do it.

“Now it’s their time to come together for their country and make things happen on that stage too. But if they do it with a smile it will be easier, I promise.”

England would need Kane to be at their best if they are to go all the way in Qatar, with Southgate’s men being highly reliant on their skipper to get them goals.

The 29-year-old, who has come agonisingly close to winning silverware for both club and country, goes into the tournament in terrific form, having scored 12 goals in 15 Premier League matches this season (Transfermarkt).

Klinsmann praised the Tottenham striker for his all-round ability and remarked that he is deserving of trophies. He also predicted that Spurs are now in the position to win just that.

When asked about Kane, the German said: “Harry is admirable. He is a complete No 9 and in the top five in the world. But we have suffered a bit for him because he is the kind of player for whom you wish trophies, you know.

“He gets closer and closer to do so with Spurs. Spurs have the capability of winning things now. They have the infrastructure and a beautiful stadium. But obviously, he has that hunger for winning trophies and maybe it’s the moment now that it will happen for him in Qatar.

“I was actually in a similar situation when I played for Spurs. I left after a year because I got a call from Franz Beckenbauer at Bayern Munich and couldn’t say no because I knew I would immediately win things, which I did.

“When Harry gets those calls from other clubs he maybe gets nervous because they give him a higher probability to win trophies. But he is in a good spot, still, and hopefully, it happens this season.

“I won my first big trophy when I won the World Cup so it can happen. I keep my fingers crossed for Harry from that point of view. Maybe this can be it for him.”

Spurs Web Opinion

There is no doubt that Kane is one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot in Qatar and we could see the striker take the World Cup by storm, given that he will be heading into the tournament relatively fresher than usual.

However, winning the tournament will be a big ask for England as I do not think they are as strong defensively as they were a couple of years ago. They could get exposed when they come up against good teams in the knockout stages.

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know