For some it was a foul but Harry Kane’s first goal against Borussia Dortmund was an instructive lesson for Mauricio Pochettino.
After the striker had put on outstanding display in Wednesday’s Champions League group game, his manager revealed he showed his squad footage of Kane’s goal in which he muscled his way past two defenders before lashing the ball home as a reminder of the levels he expects everyone to hit.
“I showed the team Harry Kane’s first goal,” Pochettino said as Spurs prepared to play Swansea at Wembley on Saturday. “I showed how he fights with two defensive players and then how he arrived in the box to score. I think he can only do this because he is so fit, because he has such hunger to score, and to help the team.
“That is the most important responsibility that we need to translate into our players: don’t lose the hunger. Their biggest issue is to be focused in football and try to be better every day.”
After going some way to breaking the so-called Wembley jinx with the 3-1 defeat of Dortmund, Pochettino wants his players to kick on again. The manager was full of praise for Kane who, after failing to score in August, has four goals in two games for his club in September.
“Harry is a good example for everyone because he is so concentrated on improving himself,” Pochettino said of the 24-year-old striker. “His own motivation is so high. We need players with that motivation. If everyone shows that motivation all is possible in football.
“We are working first of all to build the philosophy, of how to play. Then we want to win because the objective is always to win games and win titles.
“In my opinion Harry does not need titles to show he is one of the best strikers. It is true all players try to win titles, that is the aim of everyone, but for me so far Harry Kane is already showing he is one of the best strikers in the world.”
Pochettino said he did not expect Kane to encourage others to follow his lead but it is clear the manager sees Kane as one of his most important players. He feels his striker may go on to eclipse Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260 goals.
“No I don’t [expect Kane to mentor the squad]. He’s so young still,” Pochettino said. “But he’s very mature and I think it’s a very good example to use for everyone. I think he’s one of the stronger players mentally. He’s Harry Kane and he wants to improve every day but yet he’s so humble.
“Alan Shearer was a great, one of the best strikers. Harry has it all in his hands to do everything he wants. But he knows well you must go step by step and try to build your own way. I think he is doing fantastic, if you see the stats he has a fantastic record.
“His mentality is to stay here. He is so happy, not only in the Premier League, he is more than happy to stay at Tottenham. He shows every single day how he loves the club. Now it is time to wait and enjoy what he can do.”