Harry Kane launches firm defence of goal-scoring record ahead of England's clash with Spain

Even though Kane won the Golden Boot award at the World Cup this summer, which he will receive at Wembley on Saturday evening, he is still facing questions about his form and fitness

Harry Kane launched a firm defence of his recent goal-scoring record last night, suggesting that he may be taking fewer shots this season because he is a more efficient finisher than ever.

Even though Kane won the Golden Boot award at the World Cup this summer, which he will receive at Wembley on Saturday evening, he is still facing questions about his form and fitness. So far this season for Tottenham Kane has scored two goals in four games – as many as he scored in the first four games of last year, more than he scored the previous year – but the questions remain: Is he playing his best football? Is he getting in as many dangerous positions as normal?

When this was put to Kane at England’s press conference at The Grove on Friday evening, he was clear in his response. He is confident that he is playing as well as ever, and if he is taking fewer shots, maybe that is because he needs fewer.

“People are looking as if I’ve changed my game, [but] I’ve scored the same number as after four games last season,” Kane said. “Maybe I’ve become a better finisher. It’s 10 shots in the first four games, but at Christmas I might only have 10 shots in four. There are always little things that people pick out of your game, but I feel good, I feel sharp. That’s what is important.”

Kane is used to the exposure that comes with being a top striker, and having his game rigorously examined and dissected. The old talk was that he could not score goals in August, until he did, and so he is used to defending his record. He often seems to draw strength from it. “It could be a coincidence,” Kane shrugged. “I didn’t score in August and everyone said I wasn’t scoring in August, it’s a matter of opinion. I feel good, I feel fine, whether it’s 10 shots or 28 shots. I’ve scored the same number.”

For all the discussion about where Kane now ranks among the best strikers, and whether he can be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, Gareth Southgate could hardly have been more enthusiastic about him. “If you look at number 9s around the world – Messi and Ronaldo are diferent players – I can’t see a better one in the world [than Harry],” said Southgate, who will present him with his Golden Boot trophy on Saturday night. “Always as a player you are questioned and challenged about the next step. That’s what drives the very best: they want to continually win, making a difference in the games that matter, winning trophies.”

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for Tottenham last month – a first for the forward (AFP)

Kane himself admitted that he is not yet at the level of Messi and Ronaldo but aims to keep working to get there. “It’s hard to compare with them two,” he said. “I said before those two set the standard in football over the last 10 or so years. They are the heights we all want to reach. But I don’t think I’m up there with them yet. That’s my aim. I aim to improve.”

For now the England focus is on the Nations League, and even though it is an unfamiliar tournament to many fans, Kane said that England were motivated to try to win it. Kane has not won a team trophy as a senior player and this is as good a chance as any.

“It’s a competition that a few people are confused about,” Kane said. “But it’s a chance to win a trophy with the national team. Maybe once it’s been here for 20 years and you were the first winners of it, it might be a respected big tournament. We have to take it as a serious tournament which we’re lifting a trophy with. We are going into every game wanting to win. That starts tomorrow against Spain.”