Former Tottenham Hotspur star Jermaine Jenas, now a respected pundit, recently shared his astonishment at the remarkable career trajectory of Harry Kane. In a candid interview on talkSPORT Drive with Andy Goldstein, Jenas admitted that he initially underestimated Kane’s potential during his early days at Spurs.
Jenas, a prominent figure in English football with stints at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa, had a firsthand view of Kane’s emergence in the football world. Recalling his time at N17 when Kane was breaking through the ranks, Jenas confessed, “When I was at Tottenham and he was probably 16 or 17 coming through the ranks with the likes of Andros Townsend, Danny Rose, and Jake Livermore and so on.”
Expressing his initial reservations, Jenas revealed that he envisioned Kane to follow in the footsteps of Teddy Sheringham. He perceived the young striker as lacking the athleticism required for the highest level of the game. “I thought Harry was going to be more like Teddy Sheringham and felt he was not athletic enough as a striker,” Jenas admitted during the interview.
Despite his skepticism, Jenas acknowledged Kane’s relentless work ethic and determination to prove himself. “No, but this is part of Harry’s brilliance. He’s diligent, he works harder than the next and he’s driven by everybody who has told him he’s not good enough, essentially,” Jenas said. Kane’s dedication and hunger for goals became evident during his loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City, and Leicester City.
Jenas credited former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino for transforming Kane into a more dynamic and athletic striker. He explained, “Then Mauricio (Pochettino) turned him into more of an athlete, and he would run in behind.” Pochettino’s tactical adjustments allowed Kane to thrive in a deeper role, surprising many with his versatility and goal-scoring prowess.
Jenas also highlighted the significant role played by Tim Sherwood in Kane’s early development. “The rest was put together by Tim Sherwood, who played a massive part in his early development,” Jenas acknowledged. Sherwood’s influence, combined with Kane’s dedication, laid the foundation for the striker’s success.