Harry Kane

[Temptation]

Shearer was better in the air. Better long distance shooter. Way better Free Kick taker (Kane's free kicks are abysmal). And potentially better holdup play. Except Free Kicks, Kane is great at all of this too.

Kane is a way better passer and had better linkup play.

Shearer is actually so underrated. For reasons similar to Kane actually.

 

[Maradona37]

Anyway, I don't rate players solely by 'how many goals they score in arbitrary moments or rounds of the CL' which is subject to so many factors, like luck and moments.

I rate them by how good they are at playing football consistently over many years and Kane is in the elite strikers of all time list in that department for me. How many numbers 9s have you seen who can pass like him and link play like him? Even the best striker ever for me - R9 - couldn't pass like Kane. And R9 is an underrated passer.

I mean he might 'bottle it' in a latter round of the CL, but that doesn't lessen his ability.

Kane still has a World Cup Golden Boot (even if he was mostly underwhelming and it was mostly penalties) anyway. And a good list of scoring and being MOTM against top PL teams.

 

[Maradona37]

Just to be clear - I am not trying to slag off Lewandowski - he's been a brilliant striker, like Kane.

I am just saying, any criticisms of Kane at Bayern apply just as much if not more so to him. As do the big game shouts, as he hasn't got that many at club level either, to be honest. In fact I don't think he could play as well against the top English teams in the PL for Tottenham as Kane did - even in his prime.

Just a bit jarring to see te amo barca not call out Lewandowski for the same stuff he's criticising Kane for, as Robert's name was directly mentioned in the post he replied to.

And bringing up Shearer made no sense, imo, for the reasons Tyler and I have alluded to. Just seems to be brought up because - like Kane prior to Bayern move - he's English, played in the PL, and is seen as more of a 'PL local legend' than one of the all-time greats. Which I'd suggest is harsh on Shearer (despite the weaker era of the PL he played in). He was brilliant at Euro 96 for example, coming into the tournament not scoring for England for something like two years.

 

[Maradona37]

Shearer was better in the air. Better long distance shooter. Way better Free Kick taker (Kane's free kicks are abysmal). And potentially better holdup play. Except Free Kicks, Kane is great at all of this too.

Kane is a way better passer and had better linkup play.

Shearer is actually so underrated. For reasons similar to Kane actually.

That's all true, and Shearer was a brilliant striker too. I don't think he's underrated, though - many prefer him to Kane when his name comes up. And even though they had a cash injection under Jack Walker, Shearer was sensational at Blackburn, especially in SAS with Chris Sutton and being fed up Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox from the wings.

He was fantastic too, and what you mentioned is correct - better in the air and from long distance. Hold up play is much of a muchness.

The point is these players are the elite - Kane, Lewandowski, Shearer - so you can twist it either way to prove someone is better than another.

It's like Messi and Ronaldo - the only reason I think Ronaldo doesn't come close to Messi or Maradona is those two are aliens. It's not because Ronaldo isn't a brilliant player himself.

Just because I am advocating for Kane here, doesn't mean that Shearer and Lewa aren't among the best ever either.

I'd say Kane, Lewa and Shearer are all in the top 20-25 strikers of all time by anyone's measure. And, for plenty, some would be much higher than that. But that's a bare minimum. Though, tbf, maybe not as simple as it seems as there's a lot of great strikers in history.

 

[Maradona37]

In fact, this seems as relevant a thread as any - anyone wanna have a go at making a top 25-30 strikers (number 9s not wide forwards) of all time list (in no particular order)?

We have to bear in mind there are some forgotten players from history who we might not name.

I have my own thoughts and opinions, but would like to see other people's lists. See if there is a consensus on maybe the first 15, then it starts to deviate.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Kane is probably the only striker in recent times who could have played as a 10, saw a video about his Spurs time and some of his passes were on a tier 1 midfield player level, he would really deserve a big title but unfortunately he went to Bayern so cant hope he wins one

 

[Maradona37]

Kane is probably the only striker in recent times who could have played as a 10, saw a video about his Spurs time and some of his passes were on a tier 1 midfield player level, he would really deserve a big title but unfortunately he went to Bayern so cant hope he wins one

This is more true than some realise.

Who can really pick passes like Messi (not a true CF), Rooney (not a 9 really) De Bruyne, Scholes, Pirlo, Beckham etc? Or at least in that ball park? And is also a goalscoring number 9? And consistently do it?

Not Lewa, not Benzema really, not Suarez, not even Ibra, not Aguero, definitely not Haaland. Going back I don't remember R9 and Van Basten doing it (though they were both high quality passers), Gerd Muller, Eusebio and Puskas didn't I don't think. Batigol and Shearer didn't, Romario didn't, Bebeto didn't, Stoitchkov didn't.

I am not saying these guys couldn't pull off a great pass, just that they couldn't or weren't doing it consistently.

Do you remember that nice turn and touch Haaland had the other night? He then tries to spread it wide with a high 30 yard pass to Doku and he overhit it and it went out of touch. Kane would have weighted that perfectly - it's not as easy as it looks.

It's very very uncommon for a number 9 goalscorer to have that passing range. Almost unique, even. As much as a factor of their position - usually they play on the shoulder so don't get deep enough to even attempt those diagonals. But Kane drops deep a lot.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

This is more true than some realise.

Who can really pick passes like Messi (not a true CF), Rooney (not a 9 really) De Bruyne, Scholes, Pirlo, Beckham etc? Or at least in that ball park? And is also a goalscoring number 9? And consistently do it?

Not Lewa, not Benzema really, not Suarez, not even Ibra, not Aguero, definitely not Haaland. Going back I don't remember R9 and Van Basten doing it (though they were both high quality passers), Gerd Muller, Eusebio and Puskas didn't I don't think. Batigol and Shearer didn't, Romario didn't, Bebeto didn't, Stoitchkov didn't.

I am not saying these guys couldn't pull off a great pass, just that they couldn't or weren't doing it consistently.

Do you remember that nice turn and touch Haaland had the other night? He then tries to spread it wide with a high 30 yard pass to Doku and he overhit it and it went out of touch. Kane would have weighted that perfectly - it's not as easy as it looks.

It's very very uncommon for a number 9 goalscorer to have that passing range. Almost unique, even. As much as a factor of their position - usually they play on the shoulder so don't get deep enough to even attempt those diagonals. But Kane drops deep a lot.

I think in terms of short range passing Lewy and Benz were also top in their prime but long passes are a special skill from Kane, he can do them like a worldclass midfield player

i often said it, he wasted so many years at Spurs, should have gone to a top club and play for CL instead of for the 4 th spot in PL, thats why most ppl dont mention him when they speak about the best striker in this generation

 

[Temptation]

I think in terms of short range passing Lewy and Benz were also top in their prime but long passes are a special skill from Kane, he can do them like a worldclass midfield player

i often said it, he wasted so many years at Spurs, should have gone to a top club and play for CL instead of for the 4 th spot in PL, thats why most ppl dont mention him when they speak about the best striker in this generation

Lewy still plays top tier passes for Barca from time to time.

Remember that pass a few games back to Raphinha?

I have always rated Kane as a top 3 striker of this era. Way before it was cool to do so. Even when he was at Spurs. Team trophies don't matter much to me when comparing individuals.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Lewy still plays top tier passes for Barca from time to time.

Remember that pass a few games back to Raphinha?

Yesss, that was insane.

 

[Maradona37]

I think in terms of short range passing Lewy and Benz were also top in their prime but long passes are a special skill from Kane, he can do them like a worldclass midfield player

i often said it, he wasted so many years at Spurs, should have gone to a top club and play for CL instead of for the 4 th spot in PL, thats why most ppl dont mention him when they speak about the best striker in this generation

Yea I am more referring to those raking long balls he plays. When we talk about vision in and around the halfway line and in the box, the likes of Lewa, Benz, Ibra, R9, Romario, Puskas, Hristo, Van Basten and the others are right up there.

You have to also commend his loyalty to Spurs, though. I know he wanted to leave a few times and Levy wouldn't let him, but he never complained, got his head down, and remained professional playing well and scoring goals (admittedly there's some selfish reasoning in that as he was chasing Shearer's record).

Don't get me wrong - I don't have an idealised view of Kane. He's not wholly unselfish and as a number 9 he wants to score a lot of goals himself. But he is also the type who will do right by the team and usually will pass when he could shoot (he didn't in 2018 with Sterling against Croatia if I remember correctly but he was only 25 then).

The interesting thing is - Kane learned these skills. When he first came in he had these abilities, but he was more of a conventional 9. Over time he added these strings to his bow and showcased them more - the passing, the link up, the ability to play through balls and intelligently create. Playmaking is my kryptonite - if he didn't have these abilities I wouldn't like him as a player anywhere near as much.

 

[Maradona37]

I have always rated Kane as a top 3 striker of this era. Way before it was cool to do so. Even when he was at Spurs. Team trophies don't matter much to me when comparing individuals.

I don't know if anything I said implied I thought you don't think those things. Or if you thought I was digging at you. But I believe you fully when you say you always rated him and don't put that much weight on team trophies.

 

[Temptation]

@Rassvet @Fati_Future_BallonDor @TemporaryFan

That pass by RL9 😳

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Yea I am more referring to those raking long balls he plays. When we talk about vision in and around the halfway line and in the box, the likes of Lewa, Benz, Ibra, R9, Romario, Puskas, Hristo, Van Basten and the others are right up there.

You have to also commend his loyalty to Spurs, though. I know he wanted to leave a few times and Levy wouldn't let him, but he never complained, got his head down, and remained professional playing well and scoring goals (admittedly there's some selfish reasoning in that as he was chasing Shearer's record).

Don't get me wrong - I don't have an idealised view of Kane. He's not wholly unselfish and as a number 9 he wants to score a lot of goals himself. But he is also the type who will do right by the team and usually will pass when he could shoot (he didn't in 2018 with Sterling against Croatia if I remember correctly but he was only 25 then).

The interesting thing is - Kane learned these skills. When he first came in he had these abilities, but he was more of a conventional 9. Over time he added these strings to his bow and showcased them more - the passing, the link up, the ability to play through balls and intelligently create. Playmaking is my kryptonite - if he didn't have these abilities I wouldn't like him as a player anywhere near as much.

loyalty has no point in debatting who is the best though....he is a terrific striker and could have had a much better legacy if he chose to leave earlier, i mean at the end he left, the other option was to forget legacy talk and stay at Spurs to become biggest Spurs legend ever

yeah his playmaking ability is his best skill, the game vs Man City a few years ago and vs Dortmund showed what a great player he is

do you think he would be a good option to replace Lewy ?

 

[Maradona37]

loyalty has no point in debatting who is the best though....he is a terrific striker and could have had a much better legacy if he chose to leave earlier, i mean at the end he left, the other option was to forget legacy talk and stay at Spurs to become biggest Spurs legend ever

yeah his playmaking ability is his best skill, the game vs Man City a few years ago and vs Dortmund showed what a great player he is

do you think he would be a good option to replace Lewy ?

Yeah I know that it has no bearing on who's the best - just giving some reasoning for why he didn't leave Spurs earlier. Plus, he probably (mistakenly) thought Spurs could take the next step. He is a great guy it seems but he doesn't seem the smartest off the pitch. Levy probably convinced him for years, spun him lies about how Spurs could conquer Europe. I believe Mourinho does similar in that All or Nothing documentary series.

He truly is a great player. The problem is he's 33 by the time the World Cup ends and next season starts. As good as he is - and he doesn't rely on pace and doesn't seem too bad with injury record these days - it's always risky to buy someone that age. If he was the same age as Haaland and performing as he is now, I'd say every club in Europe should desire him. But how long does he really have left at the level he's at? Maybe 36 at most? That's three years. I am sure he will be a good player still after that but this level he's at is impossible almost for anyone to maintain past 35 or 36.

In all honesty, him going to Barca would never happen for many reasons. But in a hypothetical world, I'd be looking more long-term and trying to find a gem or prime player aged 26-27 (like Osimhen as many want, as an option). He's not as good as Kane for me, not by a long chalk (though he is very good), but he is the right age profile, and as Tempt and others said, brings a physicality and power and raw aggression that Barca could use in a number 9.