Pochettino’s faith in youth played huge part in Kane’s rise at Spurs

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Harry Kane scored a hat-trick against Apoel Nicosia and it should be remembered just how big a part Mauricio Pochettino has played in his Tottenham rise.

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates victory with the match ball after the UEFA Champions League Group H match against Apoel Nicosia.

Harry Kane scored the ninth hat-trick of his Tottenham Hotspur career as the North Londoners maintained their 100 percent record in the Champions League this season with a 3-0 win at Apoel Nicosia.

Kane now has 105 goals for Spurs in 172 matches in all competitions as the striker’s rapid rise continues on the biggest stage in European football.

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the UEFA Champions League Group H match against Apoel Nicosia.

The 24-year-old already has nine strikes in eight matches this term and looks to be well on course to finding the net more than 30 times for the third time in the last four years – with the Englishman managing 28 in 2015/16.

It seems difficult to remember a time when Kane wasn’t scoring almost every game, but it should not be forgotten how much faith manager Mauricio Pochettino has placed in the forward and his commitment to youth in general.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino (R) speaks with striker Harry Kane.

Tim Sherwood may have given the England international his debut, but all but four of the attacker’s goals for the club have been scored since Pochettino was named boss in the summer of 2014.

Kane was 21-years-old when the Argentine arrived at Tottenham and it is easy to forget that many then doubted whether the attacker would actually become a regular player for the team; but the 45-year-old kept the faith.

Pochettino has done the same with Dele Alli, Eric Dier and more recently Harry Winks. Over the summer the South American was quoted by the Evening Standard saying: “The big sides are investing a lot of money in trying to improve their squads but we are so calm and so quiet because we have belief in our youth from our academy.”

Many coaches say it, but few back it up with actions – especially when it is a choice rather than a necessity. Pochettino’s role in Kane’s success cannot be underestimated.