Jermaine Jenas has laid into Tottenham talisman Harry Kane after his performance in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Watford.
Spurs suffered a shock defeat at Vicarage Road as they surrendered their 100 per cent start to the season in a match sealed by Troy Deeney and Craig Cathcart second-half goals.
Former Tottenham midfielder and Match of the Day pundit Jenas singled out the form of Kane as one major issue as he he highlighted how the striker has been off key for longer than people might think.
“People start to figure you out and make life difficult – as Harry Kane found out at Vicarage Road,” Jenas told the BBC Sport site. “Despite scoring six goals and winning the Golden Boot, I was not 100% happy with Kane’s performances at the World Cup. In many of the games, it was not the Harry Kane I know.
“When I see Kane at his best, he is not just scoring goals – that is the easy part for him. He is dominating back fours, he is taking the ball in and firing four or five shots off in a game with his left and right foot.
“I cannot remember the last time he did that. He is not striking shots from long range anymore. And you cannot put it down to tiredness – for 45 minutes against United he gave Phil Jones and Chris Smalling an absolutely torrid time.
“Against Watford, he was waiting for something to land on his plate. He had one opportunity late and headed over the crossbar. On his best form, he makes things happen.”
OPINION
This was a deeply worrying performance by team and talisman against Watford. Spurs were not just below par, they also were not up for the fight. Contrast with Liverpool 24 hours earlier. Jurgen Klopp’s side lacked any real fluency, but dug deep, absorbed pressure and squeezed out a win. Is anything up with hallowed Harry? Or is Jenas being unfair? Yes. And, no. Kane has drowned in praise in the last three or four years, as he has risen from the Spurs reserves to become one of the world’s great strikers. He has scored two goals in four matches this season, and ended his August curse, but the Golden Boot winner at the World Cup hasn’t been at his best, or anywhere near. With Lucas Moura alongside him, and Tottenham looking to take advantage of the Brazilian’s searing pace, Kane’s role has become slightly different, as it was with England at the World Cup, where he was used as slightly behind Raheem Sterling on a number of occasions. Spurs must still make full use of their number nine’s predatory brilliance and quick-thinking shooting, which has created so many problems for opponents in recent years.