Harry Kane reveals the inspiration why he wears the number ten shirt for Spurs
Harry Kane has admitted that he has always considered himself a cross between a number nine and a number ten and opened up on the reasons behind wearing the number ten shirt.
The Tottenham striker’s all-round game has always been excellent but it is only this season that the 27-year-old seems to be getting the credit he deserves for his passing ability.
Kane is currently sitting at the top of the assists charts after he has become Tottenham’s provider in chief, often picking the ball up in deeper positions and finding runners further forward.
The England captain admitted that he has never really seen himself as a conventional number nine.
Kane told Sky Sports (as relayed by Football.London): “I played as a number 10 my whole youth team career, even when I got into the Tottenham team I played as a 10 behind [Roberto] Soldado and [Emmanuel] Adebayor.
“With the 10 shirt, Robbie Keane, Glenn Hoddle, and the history of the shirt is why I wanted that shirt.
“I have always seen myself as a mix between a 9 and a 10. That has just been more evident this year because the final product has been that little bit better.”
The 27-year-old revealed that Jose Mourinho has made tactical tweaks to allow him to showcase his passing range.
He added: “Me dropping deep is something that has been in my game for a while.
“I think we are probably seeing the final product a bit more and maybe the final pass, the finish at the end of it being better.
“I think talking with the gaffer when he saw that part of my game was dropping deep I think he made it clear to the wide players or the number 10 that if I do drop deep that there are runners in behind, creating space and that allows me to express my passing range.”
Playing in a deeper role does not seem to have affected Kane’s goalscoring, with the striker finding the back of the net thirteen times in all competitions so far this campaign (transfermarkt.com).
The striker admitted that while he enjoys providing assists, scoring goals was still his bread and butter.
When he was told former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher’s assertion that the Spurs striker is one of the best passers in the world, Kane responded: “I have always liked Jamie to be fair.
“That is a great complement to have. I feel like it has been part of my game. If I get into those areas then I can pick people out.
“It is a great compliment and hopefully there are a few more assists left in me this season.
“I think I have eight at the moment you want to finish as high as you can on that list.
“I think the important thing is that I am still scoring goals even though I am dropping deep.”
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