Harry Kane states ambition to return 'better than ever'

Tuesday 21 Jul 2015
Kane featured for England's Under-21s in the Euro Finals earlier this summer
England striker Harry Kane returned to training with Tottenham Hotspur late last week and is eager to build on the success of last season.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an eye-catching breakthrough campaign at White Hart Lane, scoring 31 goals in all competitions with his 21 strikes in the Premier League making him the top-scoring Englishman.

Kane’s form under Mauricio Pochettino secured a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad in March and a debut goal against Lithuania followed.

England Under-21s striker Harry Kane during an interview in Czech Republic.

Kane returned to pre-season training with Spurs last week

And now the former Leyton Orient and Millwall loanee is hoping to pick up where he left off in May when the new season starts next month.

"It’s just the start for me and I’ve proved to myself that I can do it at the top level so I’m gaining confidence," he said.

"Everywhere that I’ve been, I’ve scored goals so I should be able to score goals again if I’m playing next season.

"I haven’t really had a chance to look back at last season, it’s been enjoyable and I loved every minute of it.

"I’m at a top club, playing week in and week out against the best teams, in cup finals and playing for your country and I managed to achieve that all in a short space of time.

"It’s been crazy, but it’s been great and I don’t want it to stop so I’ll try to work hard and maintain it.

"There’ll be bumps along the way, it’s never just a straight curve up and there’s always things that challenge you as a player and a person and I’m sure there will be plenty of that to come.

"But it’s how you deal with that and I’m level-headed so I just try to keep my head down and working hard and that’s what I want to do.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.

Kane scored 31 goals last season to make his name with Spurs

"Hopefully I can go on to do better and bigger things."

As Kane alludes to, it was a whirlwind season for the Walthamstow-born hitman.

He began the Premier League campaign largely as a substitute, but his early-season performances in the Europa League and League Cup soon earned him a place in Pochettino’s starting line-up.

From there, he quickly became one of Spurs’ top performers as they chased a spot in the top four and helped England Under-21s to qualify for the Euro Finals.

But it was the New Year’s Day game with Chelsea, when Kane’s two goals inspired Spurs to a 5-3 victory over the eventual champions which convinced him that he could score against anyone.

"I think Chelsea showed me," he admits. 

Harry Kane bravely heads home the equaliser

Kane stoops to score for the U21s in their Euro play-off against Croatia last October

"It was the first top four or five side that I’d played, and to score two goals and get two assists to win the way we did showed me that I could do it against any team and not just Europa League teams or those in the bottom half of the Premier League. 

"I could do it against anyone and there were some good moments for me this season and moments that I’m proud of.

"I watch it [Chelsea game] back sometimes when I’m at home and there’s nothing on, so I’ll have a look back, not just at that game but all my games.

"I like to see what I can improve on, but that was a nice time for me. It was hopefully just the beginning and I can keep doing it and that’s what I’ll be looking to again next season."

After playing for the U21s in this summer’s Euro Finals in Czech Republic, Kane was given a few extra weeks off before returning to pre-season training with Spurs last Thursday.

Their first warm-up game comes against the MLS Allstars in Colorado next week before they head to Germany for two games in the Audi Cup, alongside Real Madrid, AC Milan and hosts Bayern Munich.

And despite his later start to training, Kane is confident he will be in peak condition by the time the Premier League starts again on 8 August with Spurs’ trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"I don’t think I’ll miss the start of the season, there’s more than enough time to be ready for the start of the season," he said.

"Even though I’m away, it’s not always physically a problem as sometimes you need to get away mentally as well.

"I still keep myself fit and in shape, it isn’t like I just let myself go, so I’ll be ready for the start of the season for sure."

Kane’s ambition for the new season does not end there either, as following the disappointment of the U21s’ Euro exit, he is still keen to help Hodgson’s seniors to success in next summer’s Euro Finals.

"We all know, as a country, we want to be winning trophies, European Championships and World Cups as any country would," he concluded.

"That’s always been my aim, to win trophies for club and country and that hasn’t changed.

"We’ve got more than enough ability to be challenging for that and it’s exciting times."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels