Gary Neville has claimed Tottenham’s two biggest stars, Harry Kane and Heung-min Son, look a shadow of their normal selves after Spurs’ toothless 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Though the South Korean scored a late consolation goal for Spurs, neither he nor Kane made any significant impact on one of the club’s most important games of the season.
Kane in particular had some decent chances which he failed to put away, and did not get a contentious penalty decision, but still looked some way short of the deadly striker who won the Premier League Golden Boot last season.
Neville suggested Kane may still be dealing with the aftermath of his failed attempt to force a transfer to Manchester City over the summer, with the England captain having made clear he wanted to leave White Hart Lane only to find himself still at the club.
“He doesn’t look happy,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “The balls played up to him were long punts, (but) Harry doesn’t look himself in terms of his body language.”
“He looks like he’s still carrying over the situation from the summer. (But) he could’ve still had two or three goals today and a penalty. There’s still a contribution, but he’s just not himself.”
Neville was quick to also point out that Son, who formed such a formidable attacking partnership with Kane last season, was also visibly struggling.
“Neither is Son (looking happy), I’m not just singling out Kane. Son and Kane look like they’ve had their balloons burst at a party as a kid. That’s what it looks like.”
But fellow pundit Graeme Souness criticised both players’ attitudes given they are senior leaders at the club.
“They’re two big players for Spurs. They have to make the difference when things are going bad. If it’s not them, who are they going to rely on?”
(Daily Mail)