Mourinho explains why Kane is likely to have a longer career than other strikers

Jose Mourinho has stated that Harry Kane could potentially continue playing at the top level well into his thirties since the Tottenham star does not rely on his pace or physicality to score goals and make a difference in the final third.

Kane has scored 214 goals for Tottenham so far and is on course to break Jimmy Greaves’ record tally of 266 goals.

The striker has also notched up 159 goals in the Premier League and will be eyeing Alan Shearer’s all-time record of finding the back of the net on 260 occasions (Premierleague.com).

Mourinho stated that unlike other strikers who will diminish as their sharpness wears off in their thirties, Kane could continue to be effective, similar to Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.

When asked if the 27-year-old could play on for another decade, the Spurs boss told Football.London: “You have to ask him. It depends on what he wants to do and I think it’s too early for him to think about that, he just enjoys his football.

“When a striker is the kind of goalscorer who can only play in that position, it’s more difficult because when they lose that intensity of the younger people, then they have nothing, but the kind of players [like Harry], I think they get better with time, with experience, with understanding of the game.

“At this moment you see Harry and [Karim] Benzema, who’s already 33 now, this kind of striker. They’re very intelligent, so they can drop back and assist, transform their game.

“Later in their career, instead of being the number nine target, they become a nine-and-a-half, between a nine and a ten, and they can play football until they want, but 28 is too early to think about that.”

There has been plenty of speculation regarding Kane’s future in recent weeks, with some pundits urging the striker to leave Tottenham in order to win big trophies.

While Mourinho admitted that Kane is as ambitious as any player he has worked with, the Portuguese coach insisted that the England captain was fully committed to the club.

He added: “I’ve been lucky enough to work with players with great ambitions. It’s not possible to have a career like mine without players with ambition.

“He has that, no doubt he has that. No doubt that of course, he wants to win matches, score goals, win trophies. Totally committed with the club, totally committed with the national team.

“He’s a very good example of a top professional and a top player. Sometimes top players are not always top professionals, and vice-versa. He’s a top player, he’s top professional and he’s a great example for everyone.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I genuinely believe that Harry Kane will not push to leave Spurs as long as Jose is in charge. Not only does Kane seem to be enjoying his football under the Portuguese coach but I believe the 58-year-old would be able to convince the striker of Tottenham’s ability to challenge for big honours in the future.

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