‘Leader’ Harry Kane can captain England in the future says Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates with Dele Alli. Picture: STEVEN PASTON/PA WIRE - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Kane will have to watch from his TV tonight as ‘unbelievable’ Dele Alli looks to improve his goalscoring record at international level
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino looks on as Harry Kane limps off during their FA Cup tie against Millwall (pic John Walton/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has given his backing to Harry Kane if England boss Gareth Southgate makes the forward captain of his country in the near future.
It was speculated last week that Wayne Rooney’s time as national team skipper could be coming to an end.
And although Kane is unable to represent England during this international break, after suffering ankle ligament damage against Millwall in the FA Cup, national team boss Southgate namechecked the Spurs striker as a future captain of his country.
Gary Cahill will wear the armband this evening at Signal Iduna Park, as the Three Lions face Germany in a friendly fixture, but he might not have it for long.
Pochettino said: “It is his (Gareth’s) opinion and not my decision, but I have explained how I see Harry Kane.
“For me he is a leader, so why can’t he be captain one day of the national team and why not captain of Tottenham too?”
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Kane will have to watch from his TV tonight and on Sunday, as some of his Spurs team-mates turn out for England.
Kyle Walker, Eric Dier and Dele Alli were all selected by Southgate and could start tonight against Germany.
The later headed off to link up with his country in fine form after scoring yet again for Tottenham on Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli scores his side's second goal of the game against Southampton from the penalty spot (pic John Walton/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
The 20-year-old was sent off for Spurs during their Europa League exit to Gent last month and the red card proved costly.
But Alli has responded in the best possible way by scoring in four consecutive games – the wins against Stoke City, Everton, Millwall and Southampton – to move on to 17 for his club in all competitions this season.
“I think Dele can always surprise you and you cannot guess with him because he has an unbelievable personality and character. It is all possible with him,” said Pochettino, when asked about his goalscoring prowess.
“He is a player that plays in his best position and he likes to run into the box and he is very offensive. He is very clever in the box and he looks like a striker because he is very smart and outside the box he plays like a midfielder.
“I saw him when he was 17 at MK Dons and he was playing as a holding midfielder against Manchester United.
“He can always surprise us and maybe one day he will play as a goalkeeper or as a full-back or centre back.”
For the time being Alli will concentrate on scoring goals and not stopping them and will be on the hunt for more this evening.
The Tottenham star has only netted once for England this season – against Malta on October 8 – and will hope to improve that tally tonight.
