Poch on Harry Kane’s future

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has no concerns over Harry Kane’s future.

The England striker’s red-hot form has once again led to transfer speculation, with Chelsea being touted to make a January bid.

But after Kane’s ninth goal in six games fired Spurs into the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 1-0 triumph against Qarabag in Baku, Pochettino said: “I am happy that a big club want our players – this is because they show they are a top player with top performances. It is good when they are linked.

“But Harry, like Hugo Lloris, wants to stay here. He is one of the best players and he is very happy. He wants to grow up with us and try the next few years to try for the top four and win titles with Tottenham. This is his challenge.”

Pochettino sprang a surprise by picking Kane in a strong starting line-up against the Group J minnows Qarabag, despite facing Chelsea less than 72 hours later.

But the move paid off as Kane nodded a 78th-minute winner to ensure Tottenham’s longest-ever journey for a competitive fixture – a 5,000-mile round trip to the capital of Azerbaijan – proved worthwhile as they made the last 32 with a match to spare.

“We are through to the next round and this was our objective,” Pochettino said.

“The objective is gone now. We will make sure we will arrive in a good condition to play Chelsea. We have a strong squad and a strong mentality, with the maturity.

“It is true we arrive maybe not in the best condition to compete in the right way but respect to our medical staff for what they do – they will work during the flight and (on Friday) we have a day off. On Saturday we will assess.”