Speaking on Vibe with Five, Rio Ferdinand has given his verdict on Harry Kane and his poor start to the season.
It’s no secret that Kane hasn’t been at his very best this term. He’s yet to score a single Premier League goal this season, and he’s really struggled to make anything happen in any sense.
Last season’s Playmaker Award winner is also yet to register a league assist, so as you can imagine, alarm bells are ringing.
Ferdinand claims that Kane may feel aggrieved by Spurs’ handling of his transfer saga this summer, but he refuses to believe the idea that the striker has downed tools, despite that being a growing narrative.
What’s been said?
Ferdinand was critical of Kane, but he claimed he hasn’t downed tools.
“He’s so far removed from the Harry Kane we know. He’s proven to everyone that he’s a marksman, he scores goals, but he’s nowhere near those numbers, nowhere near the input. Is it the effect of the summer? He captained England, but nobody else has a hangover really, was it the actual saga? It must have been mentally and physically draining as well. Or is he just saying ‘this isn’t me?’
“I don’t believe that he’s that unprofessional to down tools. I don’t agree with that narrative at all. I think football players want to play football, they want to be judged, they’ve got egos, they want them massaged and they want to be the man and he’s no different. I feel this is an effect of the actual saga, he’s disheartened, he feels let down I imagine, he’s unhappy about having to stay at Spurs right now, and his performances are reflecting that.”
Legacy to protect
Harry Kane may not have trophies to boast for his career so far, but he does have a legacy to protect.
The striker is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s best-ever players, but if he has indeed downed tools, that will tarnish how he is remembered by the fanbase.
Ferdinand says that Kane is too professional to purposefully underperform, and we have to agree with that view. The England captain has been a consummate professional throughout his career, and we can’t see him actively sabotaging Tottenham’s chances.
However, it’s clear to see that something isn’t right with Kane, and that’s something Nuno Espirito Santo needs to address as soon as possible.
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