Harry Kane has made the right decision to chase Euro glory with the England Under-21s rather than rest up ahead of what might be a tricky second season at Tottenham.
That’s the view of former Spurs and England striker Clive Allen, who was one of Kane’s mentors in his early years at the club’s academy.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino eventually gave his blessing to the 21-year-old, who scored 29 of his side’s goals this season, but Kane’s involvement in the Czech Republic and his likely promotion to Roy Hodgson’s senior squad in France next summer, will mean a heavy workload in the 12 months ahead.
However, Allen, who holds Tottenham’s scoring record with 49 in the 1986-87 season, has no fears of either burn-out or ‘second season syndrome’.
“I’m in favour of Harry going with the Under-21s and I know how keen he was,” he says.
“I presented him with the PFA Young Player of the Year award a couple of months ago and he told me how much he wanted to stay with this Under-21 team for the tournament.
“I can understand that. You get chances to play at tournaments like this once or twice in a lifetime.
“It’s the biggest at this level and Harry believes that England have a realistic chance of winning it.
“He knows how important it is for him to get tournament experience. For other players, too, because a few of the squad might be involved in France next summer.
“I’ve no doubts that Harry will be there. He sets himself very high standards and, I believe, he’s made a good impression on the manager.
“I’m not concerned about the physical effects. With sports science these days, Tottenham will tailor a programme to his needs.
“It’s going to be a long season for him if he’s involved in the Euros but I don’t expect any problems.
“From the day I met him, he was always determined to learn and improve. He had a fantastic attitude.
“He understood why it was right to have so many loans and rose to the challenge of each step-up. Nothing ever fazed him.
“There’s no doubt it will be harder next season because people will be out to stop him. If he gets 20 goals he’ll have done incredibly well.
“I remember Jimmy Greaves telling me in 1987 that his record of 46 was there to be beaten but I never thought I’d come close.
“I hope Harry threatens my record at some point though maybe not beat it!”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe