Harry Kane seems to be getting even better game by game and past comments Antonio Conte made on the England captain have now been reversed. After a slow start to the season, the Tottenham striker looks to be back to the top of his game.
Kane has now scored 22 goals and registered six assists in 41 appearances this season, with 12 of those goals coming in the Premier League. Spurs went into the international break on the back of a 3-1 victory against West Ham, taking them to fifth in the table. Now just three points behind fourth placed Arsenal, the Lilywhites are still battling for a place inside the top four. When Premier League action resumes, Conte's side will have nine games to try and secure Champions League football for next season.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on Son's best quality, Kane, 'brilliant' Dane Scarlett and Arsenal
The Italian has made improvements both on and off the pitch during his short time in north London so far. Before his arrival in N17 last November, Conte has already praised the 28-year-old.
"Many praise Harry Kane for his ability to go get the ball and play with the team, such as with the equaliser against Denmark," he said when speaking about the England captain's form during the Euros. "Of course, he’s good at that too, but it’s in the box where he’s clinical and as a coach, I would always keep him in there because he’s devastating."
Kane is Tottenham's only secure striker at the moment, with Dane Scarlett still seemingly needing some time before he is ready to play regular Premier League matches. Therefore there is a heavy reliance on him to put the ball in the back of the net, which he doesn't often disappoint in doing.
However, this 'devastating' ability in the box has now been matched with his creativity outside the box. Kane and Son Heung-min broke the Premier League record for the most combination goals scored, with their dynamic duo goal against Leeds.
When Kane and Son first started playing with each other at Spurs, it would usually be the South Korean assisting the England captain. In recent times it has very much changed and seems to now be Kane regularly slotting balls through for the 29-year-old to put in the back of the net.
Conte is now realising the England captain's ability both in and out of the box and he is becoming a player who can and is playing as both a number 9 and number 10. "He is brilliant in both phases, when he has to score and also when he makes an assist," the Italian admitted after the West Ham victory. "He is two players in one because he can be a number 10 or he can be a number nine and it doesn’t change."
Kane has shown his ability as one of the best in his position for a number of years now. However, he is adding more to his game with his creative abilities. Earlier in the season creativity was something Tottenham were missing. The England captain is now doing a number of roles in one and the service to him has also only been improving, with the arrival of Dejan Kulusevski.
The 28-year-old has already been building a good relationship with his new manager and both have been full of praise for one another.
"He started this season and he struggled a bit because he didn’t score a lot. Now we are very happy because as a manager I know that I have a world class striker that in every game he can score. To have Harry in your team makes you stronger," Conte said in his post match press conference after Spurs' 2-0 win at the AMEX Stadium.
"Harry is starting to understand with this team, with the way we are playing, he has every game many chances to improve his record and score and to enjoy. I am seeing that he is enjoying to play with us together and with his team-mates and with this way we are playing."
Kane also speaks highly of the 52-year-old, "He's a fantastic coach. We get on really well. He brings ideas to the game, how he wants me and the strikers to play.
"I've learnt different aspects of the game under him. I feel physically better knowing we train and work hard every day," the England captain explained whilst on duty with his country.
"I feel the benefit of that in how I feel physically and mentally with that sharpness. I'm in a really good place. I'm in good form but I feel like I can keep improving and Antonio will definitely keep pushing me to my limits. I enjoy having someone like that as a manager."
Both Conte and Kane have a winning mentality, with the Italian winning league titles at Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan and Kane previously expressing his desire to play in the best competitions and win silverware with Tottenham. The goal for this season will be finishing inside the top four and if Spurs are able to do that and have a successful summer transfer window, who knows what next season could bring.
