Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League • England
Harry Kane offers strong hint at Premier League stay after breaking Tottenham goalscoring record and earning Stellini, Guardiola praise
Harry Kane has given a potential clue that he wants to break the Premier League all-time goalscoring record after becoming the outright Tottenham top scorer in history.
Kane scored his 267th goal for Tottenham on Sunday to earn a 1-0 win over Manchester City. In doing so, he overtook Jimmy Greaves as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. It also happened to be his 200th goal in the Premier League.
The 29-year-old has certainly come a long way and has now written his name in the history books, no matter what those pointing to his lack of trophies may claim.
Reacting to his record, Kane told Match of the Day: “My first ever Spurs goal was against Shamrock Rovers a long, long time ago, away from home. Special memories to score the first one and now to be here on 267.
“When you look at the names who have been here, to overtake Jimmy Greaves – one of the greatest to play the game – I’m extremely grateful.
“The years go by so quick so I try to take it all in. Not sure I’ve done that yet but my friends and family were here so it was a special time to do it.”
Of the occasion, he added: “We were playing one of the best teams in the league, a really important game.
“As a striker you always dream about scoring winners so it was just the perfect night. But my focus will be on Leicester before you know it.”
Kane is just the third player to score 200 goals in the Premier League era, after Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.
The England captain will need 60 more goals to match Shearer’s all-time record in the competition. However, there have been doubts about whether he will achieve it.
After all, Kane has become a target for clubs in Europe, like Bayern Munich. But he has now suggested he is going to try and stick around – although that won’t necessarily be with Tottenham, since Manchester United are eyeing him, according to reports – long enough to catch Shearer.
Kane said: “I’m feeling good. I saw Alan earlier in the week. I’m sure he’ll be watching but not sure if he’ll be happy or not!
“I’ve got plenty of goals to come. I’m feeling good.
“Alan has set the record to beat. I’ll see if I can beat it.”
Guardiola compliments Harry Kane after 2021 transfer miss
In a parallel universe, Kane could have been scoring for the other team on Sunday and would never have become Tottenham’s top scorer of all time.
After all, Manchester City wanted to sign him in 2021, but couldn’t convince Spurs to sell.
Still, Kane is hugely admired by Pep Guardiola, who offered the congratulations of all of Man City to the striker
Guardiola told Match of the Day: “Big congratulations. He deserves it. He is an exceptional player. On behalf of Manchester City I congratulate him.”
Meanwhile, Kane’s own coach for the day – Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini, stepping in for a recuperating Antonio Conte – also emphasised just how much of a legacy Kane is leaving.
Stellini told Sky Sports: “Harry Kane, in his DNA, he has football – he understands football in every moment.
“He can play in any position. He is a GOAT in this league. In this sport. He is a great example.”
Conte himself told Kane over the phone afterwards: “You make me proud. You make the Spurs fans proud.”
Tottenham have Kane under contract until 2024 and will be hoping they can continue enjoying his services. Whatever happens from here, though, he has made an achievement to remember and stand the test of time.