Giorgio Chiellini delivers verdict on Tottenham and Harry Kane

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Tottenham Hotspur face Juventus in the Champions League next week.

Juventus stalwart Giorgio Chiellini has told the Daily Mail that Tottenham Hotspur are a “strong team” and compared Mauricio Pochettino’s defence to that of Juve’s 2016-17 side.

Chiellini, 33, was one third of a three-man defence that also included Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, as well as veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, that reached the Champions League final and steamrollered the Serie A.

The Italy international reckons Spurs’ defence of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld show similarities to the all-conquering Juventus side that were eventually dismantled by a red-hot Cristiano Ronaldo in the final last year.

With Juve going up against Tottenham in the Champions League next week for a place in the quarter finals, Chiellini lauded the Italian champions’ opposition before lauding 24-year-old Harry Kane.

“When we had [Leonardo] Bonucci, [Andrea] Barzagli, myself and Gigi Buffon at the back, what we had was special. It is not just technical. It is a feeling, emotion, a level of experience,” Chiellini said.

He sees a similar spirit developing at Tottenham. “Strong team,” he nods. “I like the Belgian couple at the back, (Jan) Vertonghen and (Toby) Alderweireld.

“Harry Kane is a fantastic player. He played against us three years ago and he has really improved. Now he scores more than Messi in a calendar year and that’s very different to scoring more than Chiellini.”

Kane has continued to blow away his opponents with an unbelievable ratio of 31 goals in 32 league and cup encounters this season, and is on course to win his third successive Premier League golden boot.

Spurs face the small matter of a north London derby against Arsenal on Saturday as preparation for Tuesday night’s heavyweight clash against Juventus in the first leg at Wembley Stadium.