Expert hits out at two Tottenham stars after Harry Kane latest
Noel Whelan has called on Tottenham forwards Heung-min Son and Richarlison to “step up” and take the “strain” off talisman Harry Kane.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested Spurs are needing to be “more defensively sound” and can afford less “mistakes” due to a lack of goals in the new campaign.
Kane‘s first-half header handed Tottenham all three points against Brighton on Saturday (8 October).
That goal at the Amex Stadium was the England captain’s eighth in nine Premier League outings.
Meanwhile, last season’s Golden Boot winner Son has managed just three goals – and £60million signing Richarlison is yet to score in the league.
Tottenham sit third in the Premier League table – four points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Whelan suggested other sides like Man United and the Gunners are thriving due to their multitude of goalscorers.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It would be nice if Son and Richarlison stepped up.
“For a long time Kane has had that player in Son. He was always chipping in with 20 goals, meaning Spurs aren’t relying on Kane.
“But he’ll be loving that. He’s a number nine, a goalscorer – that’s his job.
“But it would be nice to see Son and in particular Richarlison taking some of that strain off him.
“As long as they keep winning and Spurs keep winning it’s good for Kane and good for Gareth Southgate.
“The bad thing is that while the goals are limited, they’re having to be more defensively sound. They can’t make any mistakes.
“It would be nice to see Kane taking the back seat now and again. Other teams like Man United and Arsenal have got players they can rely on.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Tottenham launch Ivan Toney scouting mission.