Alan Shearer: ‘Tottenham striker Harry Kane has all the tools to top my Premier League goalscoring record’
I HAVE always reserved judgement on whether my Premier League goalscoring record will ever be beaten.
There have been some brilliant goalscorers who have followed me, not least Wayne Rooney who is second in the all-time list now with 200 goals.
Still 61 to go though and I fear time will catch up with him before he is able to break the record.
Yet in Harry Kane I can now definitely see a player who can top the total I amassed with Blackburn and Newcastle.
I got another 23 with Southampton I might add, but that was before the Premier League came into being.
At 24 years old the Tottenham man has 82 goals and has reached that quicker than anyone bar myself.
It has taken just 122 appearances, that’s one quicker than Ruud van Nistelrooy and six quicker than Sergio Aguero and they are two of the greatest strikers our game has seen. With up to another decade left for Kane in the game my record has got to be in his sights.
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Of course much will depend on him staying injury free.
I was denied more goals by three major injuries, two ruptured ligaments in my knees and a broken and dislocated ankle, which probably cost me 2½ seasons and possibly bought an earlier end to my career.
Hopefully he will not have such problems.
Right now I do not see anything that Kane can add to his game to make him better.
His performance in the London derby against West Ham showcased everything he is good at.
His first goal with his head was a great finish, steering the ball into the far corner of the goal, and the second showed a poacher’s instincts to be in the right place at the right time.
He can score the simple and can put away the spectacular.
Tottenham are very fortunate to have him on their books. The big question going forward is whether the North Londoners can match his own ambitions.
Right now he seems very happy to be playing at what is his club, having grown up there with loan spells at the likes of Leyton Orient and Millwall.
There will understandably be increased interest in him but Spurs are saying they are no longer a selling club.
What they need to be, however, is one that wins trophies.
They have fallen short of that despite making giant strides in recent years, breaking into the top four and very nearly winning the title.
The next couple of years are going to be huge for Spurs and Kane.
They need to keep the impetus going that has been created over the last two seasons as they move into a new stadium.
They have a first XI which is as good as any in the league.
But they need to keep adding to it, keep improving, keep pushing. And of course they need to keep Kane.
I know what it is like to play for your local club.
Despite failing to add to the title winner’s medal I got at Blackburn, I would still not change a thing.
Not for the chance to go to Manchester United and fill my trophy cabinet and I had the opportunity before and after my move to St James’ Park.
There is something special about doing it for YOUR club.
Having said all that about Kane, I do not rule out Romelu Lukaku having a good go at reaching my total either.
At the same age as Kane he has nine more Premier League goals but has played 70 games more. At a club like Manchester United he is going to get chances every game to add to that.
What a start he has had to his career at Old Trafford with six already from as many League games.
He has given the club what they have been lacking in recent years, which is a striker at the very top of his game.
Manchester City fans will obviously be wondering why I have not mentioned Aguero up to this point.
With 128 goals from 187 appearances in the league he has an incredible record.
Undoubtedly he is one of the best goalscorers to have graced our game.
But at 29 he is not going to have the time to reach my target.
Will I be disappointed if Kane or Lukaku do it?
Well, it is a record I am very proud of but to witness the goalscoring exploits of another professional is something I now enjoy doing in my role as a pundit, so good luck to them.
I actually believe Kane, in particular, can do it — and will do it.
Talking of records a quick mention to one of football’s great unsung talents Gareth Barry.
Tonight he will go past Ryan Giggs’ Premier League record when he makes his 633rd appearance as he turns out for West Brom against Arsenal.
It is an incredible achievement, having made his debut back in May 1998.
His levels of consistency of performance through his time at Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton mark him out as among the best defensive midfielders of his time.
I played against him and you always knew what you were up against — a thoroughly professional, dedicated and committed player who has always given his best.
Well done Gareth, a great achievement.
The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.
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