England can help spark Tottenham striker Kane’s form, says Southgate
England coach, Gareth Southgate, believes the national team can help spark Tottenham striker Harry Kane’s goalscoring form.
The Three Lions captain is yet to score in the Premier League this season after seeing a dream move to Manchester City collapsed.
He has looked a shadow of himself under Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with his only club goals this term coming against Europa Conference League minnows Pacos Ferreira and NS Mura – and Wolves in the Carabao Cup.
“Harry obviously scored three goals in the three different matches for us in September so I didn’t sense any change in his approach with us,” he said.
“I think he got a hat-trick last week in the European game in the space of about 25 minutes.
“There are a lot of changes at the club, a new manager and new tactical formations so like all players there will be an adaptation to that. But from our perspective, we can only look at what he did in September and he hit the ground running for us. He scored a fabulous goal in Warsaw and clinically took his other two.”
Southgate believes his hat-trick in Tottenham’s win against NS Mura before the international break could be a turning point.
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“What’s going on with his club is none of my business really,” he added. “In terms of what we ask him to do, I think we’ve obviously got a settled way of playing here. His teammates know him, he knows his teammates, he knows the patterns of play that we play towards.
“There are obviously some games that are against a lower level of opponent where it’s slightly easier to score goals, which was probably what we found in the European game with his club as well. So maybe if you’re having a little spell you can get yourself back on track in a game like that.
“But he’s scored against some of the biggest opponents for us. I can’t talk about the club, but I think he feels settled in our environment. I think it’s an environment where he knows we have belief, but we have pushed him.
“We want improvement from the team all the time. As the captain, he knows he has to set the standard in the training sessions every day as well.
“I can’t fault his application and dedication to what we’re doing. He’s got a real desire to go well with us.”