For all of Tottenham Hotspur‘s shortcomings, they can now say that they produced a Ballon d’Or winner. The same player that rivals once wrote off as a one-season wonder stepped onto the stage to accept his award on Monday night, as he returned to London in a fitting full-circle moment.
Not even Kylian Mbappe or Lamine Yamal can deny that Harry Kane was a deserved winner, no matter how often they appeared in front of the cameras to promote their own story.
From a player thrown into the side by Tim Sherwood amid the struggles of then-record signing Roberto Soldado, Kane is now the best player that world football has to offer.
How Kane rose through Tottenham ranks to start Ballon d’Or path
When Kane made his first Premier League start in 2014, Spurs were simply looking for goals whilst their big-money signings continued to struggle. They had no idea what they had on their hands. Perhaps only Kane knew what was about to happen and what would eventually happen 12 years later.
A debut goal quickly turned heads against Sunderland that day and two goals in his next two starts followed. It was a sign of things to come, especially when Mauricio Pochettino arrived to replace Sherwood.
In his first full season as Tottenham’s starting forward, Kane 31 goals in all competitions. An unknown star quickly became North London’s newest hero, but still the ‘one season wonder’ tag attached itself.
28 goals followed one season later and a one-season wonder became a two-season wonder. 35 arrived a year later and 41 in the next. A one-season wonder wasn’t just becoming an established star in the Premier League, he was becoming one of the best players in Europe.
Before rival fans could even think of a new way to critique a complete forward, Kane had scored 213 Premier League goals – just 47 fewer than record-holder Alan Shearer.
The only miracle that rival fans can hold onto is that Kane’s trophies didn’t arrive with his Tottenham heroics and that is a failure the Lilywhites must live with.
They watched on as the best player in their history left for Bayern Munich, ended his wait for silverware and then took his crown as the best in the world.
Now, they could watch their next big young star take a similar path.
Tottenham’s next young star may be forced to walk away
The only question that those around Spurs have been asking since Kane’s departure is where do they find their next young hero? Is replicating Kane even a possibility?
It’s an academy which has played a part in producing the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Ledley King, but since Kane, has struggled to find a star ready to be built around.
In many ways, it’s a symptom of the modern game. Will Lankshear didn’t wait for his place as big-money signings arrived. He jumped ship in the summer and has since stolen the show in the Championship with Middlesbrough. At a time when Spurs are splashing out on attackers, young stars aren’t waiting for their turn.
It’s not just Lankshear, either. Mikey Moore also moved away in the summer and whilst he is only out on loan at Koln for the time being, Tottenham’s big-money attack may force the youngster to complete a permanent move away.
A player who many believe is Tottenham’s best young talent since Kane could be forced out the door before he’s even made his mark. That is the brutal reality of modern football.
12 years ago, Sherwood benched Spurs’ record signing to make room for Kane. That decision changed history. Roberto De Zerbi is unlikely to do the same for Moore, denying the Lilywhites an outstanding talent.
|
League stats per 90 26/27 |
Mikey Moore |
Savio |
Omar Marmoush |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
384 |
331 |
517 |
|
Chances created |
0.7 |
2.99 |
0.7 |
|
Goals |
0 |
0 |
0.17 |
|
Assists |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Successful dribbles |
3.98 |
4.89 |
2.44 |
At just 19 years old, Moore has earned the chance to make the same breakthrough that Kane made over a decade ago. Alas, with the goalposts forever moving for young players in the Premier League, he may never play for Spurs again.
