Thursday 28 September 2017 14:29, UK
Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world but comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are premature.
Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle believes Kane can become the club's greatest striker after he took his September tally to nine goals in five games with a hat-trick against Apoel Nicosia.
Pochettino is in agreement but says it is too early to be putting Kane in the same bracket as Ronaldo and Messi.
"Who better to assess Harry?" said Pochettino of Hoddle. "I agree with Glenn. He is one of the best strikers in the world and because he's still so young, he can improve.
"His potential, his professionalism; he has a gap to improve a lot. I never said he is better than Cristiano and Lionel Messi, who are at a different level. They are the best and are showing that for the last five to 10 years.
"We cannot put so much pressure on Harry because he is so young. Messi and Cristiano are a different style of player to Harry.
"Harry is a striker, a killer; they are killers too but play in different positions and have different styles. It will not help Harry if we start comparing him to these players."
Kane was named in Gareth Southgate's England squad on Thursday along with Spurs team-mate Deli Alli, who is still waiting to hear if he will be punished by FIFA for making an offensive gesture during last month's win over Slovakia.
Alli could be suspended for up to four games, although Sky sources understand the FA will appeal any decision to ban him.
Should Alli be banned for England's final two World Cup qualifiers, Pochettino would rather the 21-year-old remains at Spurs and plans to speak to England boss Gareth Southgate.
"I will decide what happens if [he is suspended]," said Pochettino. "What will happen tomorrow is impossible to know.
"If he is banned I would prefer for him to stay with us working, rather than be with the national team. But that is a decision between the FA and us. We will speak [to Southgate]."
Tottenham travel to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am.
