Andy Townsend shared he thought Tottenham attacker Harry Kane should start in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
The pundit shared that he thought the 25-year-old Spurs forward was capable of putting his side ahead against Liverpool, and added that he thought Mauricio Pochettino would start him as a result.
“Of course I think he is starting,” said Townsend on BBC Radio 5 Live (19:31, Wednesday May 29th).
“And even though Lucas Moura performed miracles in the second-leg of that semi, I think if he is right, he plays because he can if given half a chance he can put Tottenham ahead.
“However I very much doubt but if he is Alan (Pardew) alluded to earlier that he is a player who has nodded his head and said he is ready to go then I don’t think you can deny Harry Kane.”
This then prompted former Arsenal player Lee Dixon to spark up to join the conversation by cheekily saying he had no plans to watch Tottenham face Liverpool as he’ll be locking himself in the loft.
“I won’t be watching the game, I’ll be locking myself in the loft,” said Dixon.
OPINION
It’s hard to argue with Townsend as it does acknowledge that Kane may not last 90 minutes. The pundit clearly thinks the forward is capable of getting a quick goal for Spurs to build on and that’s not the worst strategy. If Spurs burst out of the gates with Kane leading the line, then it might see them go a goal ahead and force Liverpool to chase the game. However while that is a sound plan on paper, you could argue if the 25-year-old can’t last 90 minutes, then he is better being deployed from the bench. The Spurs forward would probably find it easier to score against a tired Reds defence in the second half than a full fresh defence in the game’s opening stages. As for Dixon’s cheeky remark, it won’t surprise Tottenham fans. The former Arsenal player is clearly gunning for Spurs not to win the Champions League trophy as it will just be further indication that they’re currently ahead of their fierce rivals.