'Everyman' hero strikes a chord as Spurs' go-to sniper

In the increasingly cosmopolitan English Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur's homegrown fan favorite Harry Kane represents something of a British throwback.

Born in Walthamstow, north London, five miles from Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium, and raised in a Spurs-supporting family, Kane joined the club's academy at age 11 and has been there ever since.

Now 21, he is the revelation of the current English season and will spearhead the Spurs' attack against Chelsea in Sunday's League Cup final at Wembley - the biggest game to date in the career of a player hailed by the club's fans as "one of our own."

"What appeals about Kane is that he looks like every one of us would if we were good enough to get the chance to play for our club - loving every minute of every game," said Martin Cloake, co-chairman of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust. "He's Everyman for Spurs fans."

Considered in the context of the 7.8 billion television rights deal announced by the Premier League two weeks ago, Kane seems almost anachronistic, recalling an era when players would travel to matches on the same buses as the fans who sang their names on the terraces.

He has also had to wait for his moment in the sun, having spent time on loan at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City before finally exploding across the national consciousness this season.

With 24 goals in 38 games, he is the most prolific striker in the English top flight and has already enjoyed more fairytale moments than many players experience in their entire careers.

England beckons

In his last appearance against Chelsea, on New Year's Day, he scored twice and had a hand in two other goals as the Spurs recorded a stunning 5-3 home win that gives Mauricio Pochettino's team a slight psychological advantage ahead of Sunday's game.

In the derby against Arsenal, meanwhile, Kane's brace enabled the Spurs to come from behind and win, his picture-perfect headed winner in the 86th minute bringing to mind classic English center forwards like Alan Shearer and Nat Lofthouse.

Tall, physically strong and technically assured, Kane lacks searing pace but is a sure-footed finisher and has an eye for the killer pass.

According to England manager Roy Hodgson, the blond No 18 with the happy-go-lucky air "combines everything that you're looking for in a center forward."

Kane has represented his country at every age level between under-17 and under-21 and is due to receive his first senior call-up when Hodgson announces his next squad on March 19.

Having committed his future to Tottenham earlier this month by signing a five-and-a-half-year contract, Kane will now attempt to crown his breakthrough season by firing the Spurs to a first major trophy since 2008.

"There have already been some big, important goals that he has scored," said former Tottenham striker Clive Allen, who coached Kane at the club's academy.

"The fans obviously connect with players who have come through and Harry will be determined to get the right result and hope that he can win a trophy with a team so close to his heart."

(China Daily 02/28/2015 page9)