Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has shot down claims from Everton legend Kevin Ratcliffe that the Toffees would be in the same position Tottenham were in if they had talisman striker Harry Kane in their side.
The two sides go head to head on Sunday afternoon but while Spurs sit third in the Premier League table, Everton find themselves five places behind in eighth with a gap of 15 points between the two clubs.
Ratcliffe had told the Liverpool Echo: “If we had Harry Kane in our side, we could be in the position they are now,” but Merson was quick to shoot down the Everton icon’s claims, insisting that there was so much more that the Toffees were missing than just a goalscorer.
He told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday (22/12, 13:01): “I like Kevin Ratcliffe, he’s a top man, a great player but I don’t think so. What Everton player would get in the Tottenham team? How many? None.
“Off the top of my head I can’t think of an Everton player who would get in the Tottenham team. It will take a long time (to be like Spurs) but they need more than just a goalscorer.
“You can’t put Harry Kane in a bottom of the table team or a mid-table (side). Kevin Ratcliffe’s a legend and I don’t want to sound like I’m a know-it-all but I know.”
Opinion
It would be interesting to see how Kane would get on if he was playing in a side chasing the top six, but the fact of the matter is that Spurs have built themselves around him and are picking up the dividends for doing so. Everton meanwhile are lacking that natural hitman to fill the void up front with Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggling to make a regular impact at Goodison Park. There is no doubting that Kane would improve their chances up front but they are of course never going to be given that chance. Merson is right in saying there are many areas that the Toffees need to strengthen in to be anywhere close to Spurs but their summer business certainly dragged them an inch closer. If they can continue to spend savvy then maybe they have an outside chance – but a Harry Kane figure would do them the world of good.