One of our groan – Hopeless Kane paying price for failed Man City move
Robin Bairner
- 30 Oct 2021 20:08 BST
- 6 min read
Embattled Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo may receive the brunt of criticism following Spurs’ 3-0 mauling by Manchester United on Saturday, but it was impossible to overlook the reception that Harry Kane received from the home fans.
Not so long ago, the England captain was showered with chants of ‘One of our own’ as he scored goals at a remarkable rate for the club.
By full-time against Man Utd, though, he was being pelted with boos and jeers as he failed to make anything happen up top for a Spurs side that dominated possession but failed to get a single shot on target.
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He managed just 33 touches – the lowest for a starting outfield player for Tottenham – won just 36% of his ground duels and 25% of his aerial duels. He failed to earn a single free kick and the only shot that he had was blocked.
Meanwhile, he completed just 12 passes.
As Spurs were sinking, the home crown turned their ire on the captain whenever he made a loose touch or a stray pass. It made for uncomfortable viewing.
Kane v Man Utd
| Minutes | 90 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Shots on target | 0 |
| Touches | 33 |
| Duels won | 36% |
| Aerial duels won | 25% |
| Passes completed | 12 |
Kane's summer hangover
Kane is paying the price for making it entirely evident that he wanted to leave the club for Manchester City in the summer, making it plain even before Euro 2020 that he wanted an exit to play for a side capable of competing with trophies.
Though City pushed hard for the 28-year-old, offering more than £100 million, Spurs refused to buckle or even listen to the bids, with the hard-nosed Daniel Levy unmoving on their approaches.
Three months into the season, the evidence suggests that they were wrong to ignore City’s overtures. Kane might have scored seven goals in 14 games but six of these have come in either the Conference League or the League Cup.
In the competition in which it really matters for Spurs, the Premier League, he has just a single goal to his credit – against a Newcastle side in the relegation zone.
Kane has been infamous as a slow starter, but this is exceptional and no doubt the events of the summer have their part to play.
Kane feels betrayed by the club – or at least it looks that way. He has shown little of the pride that he once portrayed while wearing the Spurs shirt.
Of course he will start finding the net again soon, but questions have to be asked if he will ever be able to recapture that hunger that has seen him notch five 20-goal seasons in the Premier League in the past.
Levy, for once, appears to have misjudged the situation and now, like Kane, must be privately regretting knocking back Man City’s money.
