LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane does not need to win titles to be considered one of the best strikers in the world and insisted the England international is very happy at Tottenham.
Kane scored twice as Spurs beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, making it four goals in two matches after he scored his 100th and 101st career goals with a brace at Everton last weekend.
Pochettino and forward Fernando Llorente have described Kane as among the best in the world in his position following his two-goal performance against Dortmund, but former Manchester United player Phil Neville has said Kane has to win titles to be considered world-class, and should join Real Madrid or Barcelona.
"For me there's no doubt Harry Kane is one of the best strikers. Im my opinion, he doesn't need titles to show he's one of the best strikers," the Spurs manager told a news conference.
"All the players play to try to score, win and in the end to win titles, of course. That is everyone's aim but so far Harry Kane is showing he is one of the best strikers in the world.
"He is a very good example for everyone because he's so focused on trying to improve himself. His own motivation is so high. We need players with that motivation. If, like Harry Kane, you show that motivation, all can happen and all is possible in football.
"We're working very hard, first of all to build philosophy and try to win. The objective is always to win games, win titles. That is our ambition.
"And then Harry, his mentality is to stay here. Not only in the Premier League but to stay in Tottenham. He shows every single day how he loves Tottenham. Only it's about waiting and enjoying him."
Kane's double at Goodison Park took him onto 80 Premier League goals and he has said he is targeting Alan Shearer's record of 260.
"I don't know about that," Pochettino added. "Alan Shearer was fantastic, great, one of the best strikers. Harry have all in his hands to try to do everything that he wants but he knows very well that it needs to be step-by-step and try to build his way.
"I think he's doing fantastic, Harry Kane. If you see the date, he has a fantastic record. With Harry Kane's mentality, all can happen."
Pochettino also said that he did not know when Danny Rose would return to fitness. The left-back has not played since January due to a knee problem, and he underwent surgery in May.
Asked if he knew when Rose would return, Pochettino said: "No. First of all I am a coach and not a doctor. They know better than me but we cannot say it will be one week or two or more. We're assessing them every day. I think they're doing well but still we need to wait and we cannot give a date that maybe it's possible for him to return to the group and start training.
"Of course I suffer because he's your player. Like [Erik] Lamela, you always want them fit and healthy and ready to compete and be available. After long-term, like him, I think it's so difficult for him.
"All the players love to play football and be fit and be healthy. He's suffering a lot for eight or nine months now, from January, and it's a very difficult situation. We try, all the staff and everyone, to help him to keep pushing and try to be motivated to be as soon as possible fit again, to help the team."
Rose, Lamela and Victor Wanyama will miss Saturday's match against Swansea at Wembley through injury, while Harry Winks is "still feeling a little pain in his ankle," according to Pochettino.