Garth Crooks is convinced that Tottenham striker Harry Kane still has a lot to achieve before he can be considered world class and has described recent comments as “hollow praise”.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed another fantastic season in the Premier League and struck 20-plus goals for three consecutive seasons.
The England international has become one of the most deadly attackers in the top flight and scored seven times during his last two league games of the season.
He played a major role in Spurs’ second-placed finish in the Premier League and will be hoping to help them establish themselves at the top-end of the table.
BBC pundit Crooks believes that Kane has the quality to reach a top level, but feels that he must guide the north London club to silverware first.
“I couldn’t believe the headlines granting the player world-class status after his four-goal blitz of Leicester City in midweek. What poppycock!” Crooks told BBC Sport. “The 23-year-old definitely has the potential to be world class, of that I am in no doubt. But not yet.
“Robert Lewandowski, Didier Drogba and Thomas Muller have all been, or are, world class but all won trophies to demonstrate the fact. Kane would do well to ignore such hollow praise and stick to the task ahead. Make Spurs world class and you will inevitably be world class with them.”
Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a formidable squad at Spurs in recent seasons and Kane is at the heart of their success.
The forward has suffered a couple of injury setbacks throughout the year, but has managed to battle past them and remain clinical in front of goal.
He made 38 appearances across all competitions in the season and scored an impressive 35 goals in return.
Kane will hope to keep up his strong form next year when his side make the temporary switch to Wembley Stadium and will be hoping he can also make an impact in the Champions League.