(Taken from Article) http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/12/02/sp-ex-chelsea-winger-harry-kane-is-not-a-striker-his-touch-isnt/?
Pat Nevin: Harry Kane is not a striker, his touch isn't good enough
Pat Nevin has rubbished the idea that Harry Kane could be Tottenham Hotspur's main centre forward due to his inability to hold the ball up.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin doesn't believe Harry Kane has what it takes to become Tottenham Hotspur's main centre forward.
On Monday Night Football on Off The Ball, Nevin argued that despite the cries for Kane to see more game time in the Premier League, he isn't the answer as the main centre forward.
''I do not see Kane as a striker. He doesn't hold the ball up well. He's a big, strong lad but his touch isn't good enough,'' said 51-year-old, who also does not see him as a good option in the 'number 10' position compared to Christian Eriksen or as a midfielder.
Nevertheless, Nevin commented that he still believes Kane should be starting, based on form, but failed to declare where he would play him.
The 21-year-old has been in fantastic form recently, with seven goals in his last nine games, and started alongside Roberto Soldado on Sunday in Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Everton at White Hart Lane.
He played the full 90 minutes against the Toffees, making 59 touches, but failed to win a single aerial battle against the likes of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka. However, that doesn’t reflect his season as he has generally been good at holding the ball up and good in the air.
According to whoscored, based on their statistical analysis, one of his five recorded strengths is holding on to the ball – despite Nevin commenting that it is in fact one of his weaknesses.
As a young player, it should almost be expected that he will make bad decisions while he is still learning the game, but no one can argue that the progress he has made in the past 12 months has been nothing short of meteoric.
In the past 12 months, considering the majority of his appearances have come from the bench, the Walthamstow-born striker has netted a very respectable 13 goals in 30 games – a good record for anyone in the Premier League, never mind one so young.
If he keeps up this rate of improvement, few people would bet against the Spurs man earning an England call-up in a striker's position, regardless of Nevin's opinion.
Do you agree with Pat Nevin's comments?
Pat Nevin vs Kane (he's not impressed)
posted on 3/12/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 3/12/14
I think Nevin is just headline hunting. Hope Kane keeps it up. Many months ago I wrote an article backing Harry Kane and likened him to a young Mandzukic.
Yes he may not be everyone's stand out contender but his industry and eye for goal can be invaluable to team like ours.
posted on 3/12/14
Even now you can see the likeness..you can substitute Mandzukic for Harry Kane in this review. I'm not saying Kane is anyway near Mandzukic's current level but at 21 being 7 years younger he has plenty time to improve
'Following his move to Atlético Madrid, Sky Sports analyst Adam Bate wrote that he was the perfect fit for manager Diego Simeone's style as Mandžukić is 'often the instigator of the press with his energetic running, Mandzukic battles defences, driving them back to create space for team-mates as well as preventing opponents building patiently without pressure on the ball.'Bate further added that the Croatian 'is both a physical and mobile striker who does so much of his best work without the ball, seemingly doing the work of two players and thus allowing an extra man in midfield.'
posted on 3/12/14
He can learn to hold it up better. He'll get older, more experienced , cleverer.
It's not there yet, but the raw materials are for a proper number 9
posted on 3/12/14
Weird person for Nevin to turn on, never really liked him as a pundit and think his BBC 'analysis' videos are beyond cringe, but this is poor even for him
posted on 3/12/14
Strange comments by Nevin. Think there's areas Kane needs to work on (shooting etc...) But overall thought his first touch was pretty good.