Darren Bent has suggested that Tottenham captain Harry Kane restricts the side when he plays.
The striker is currently sidelined after aggravating a longstanding ankle ligament injury, and ex-Spurs striker Bent has claimed that Kane’s presence limits the side as they play with more freedom when he doesn’t feature.
Speaking on Stadium Astro, as quoted by the Daily Star, the Sky pundit said: “I’m not saying they play better or worse when Harry Kane’s there.
“But I feel like he takes a lot more of the responsibility on.
“When Kane is there, it feels a bit restricted.”
OPINION
This is a massive claim from Bent. The thought of Spurs being better without Kane in the side is almost laughable, but you do wonder if he has a point. The instinct when Kane, or any superstar for that matter, is in a side, is to look to them whenever possible in the hopes that they can dig you out of trouble. When Kane is not around, however, Spurs have to use a little bit more invention, and generally look a little less one-dimensional. That being said, the one dimension that Kane gives them is a pretty special one. He is the finest English striker of his generation, no doubt about it, and you would always prefer to have him in the side as not. Perhaps, however, it would be prudent of the team to take on board the lessons they have had to learn during his absence for future use, as if they can continue wowing with a key player like Kane alongside them, everything would look rosy.