Tottenham Hotspur were brilliant during the first 45 minutes of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Everton. They fell behind to a great goal from former Spur Aaron Lennon, before levelling through an even better strike by teenage sensation Dele Alli on the stroke of half time. But, forget the scoreline, Mauricio Pochettino’s men were streets ahead of the Toffees.
However, the game became more even the longer it went on. Tottenham talisman Harry Kane was a perfect example of why.
Kane was cooked. Tiredness got the better of him, as this video highlights – he had nothing left to give and the way he slumped to the ground, in a halfhearted and unconvincing attempt to buy a free-kick, stank of exhaustion.
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It should come as no surprise that Kane is exhausted. The 22-year-old has started all 20 Premier League games for Spurs this season – as have Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, while Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris have started 19.
Similarly, Eric Dier has been in the starting XI in every game bar one in all competitions.
SEE ALSO:
Aaron Lennon goal video v Tottenham: Everton man haunts former club with brilliant half-volley
Dele Alli goal video v Everton: Tottenham’s teenage prodigy equalises with outstanding touch & finish
Tottenham player ratings from 1-1 Everton draw: 9/10 Alli & defence top draw but exhausted Kane 6/10
Tottenham have pretty much stuck with the same side all season, which is partly why they have been so successful. The chemistry is so strong at White Hart Lane.
However, they need to be able to give their star men a break when they need one, which Kane definitely did on Sunday.
In Heung-Min Son and Clinton N’Jie, who is currently injured and – more importantly – not very good, Spurs have two players who could stand in for Kane if things got desperate.
But Son and N’Jie are not proper strikers. They are attacking midfielders who can ‘do a job’ – not the job that Kane does!
Kane leads Tottenham’s attack, using his power, presence and brilliant brain to bring his teammates into play, while also proving his side’s primary goal-threat.
Spurs rely on him so heavily, but, if they continue to do so, he will burn out. They cannot afford to break him, so they MUST invest in a Premier League-ready frontman before the January transfer window passes them by.
Spurs head coach Pochettino was quizzed about his January plans after the draw at Goodison Park. His body language didn’t suggest that he is preparing for a busy window.