LONDON, (Reuters) – Jose Mourinho launched an impassioned defence of Harry Kane’s form under his playing style at Tottenham Hotspur after pundit Paul Merson suggested the England striker would struggle to score goals in the Portuguese manager’s system.
Merson, a pundit with Sky Sports, said 26-year-old Kane would consider switching clubs if Mourinho continued adopting a conservative style in the Premier League, like they did in their 1-1 draw with Manchester United last week.
Kane has scored seven goals in 10 games under Mourinho but struggled to make an impact against United — his first match since returning from a hamstring surgery in January — and Mourinho said Merson was wrong to judge him based on one game.
“The record of goals that Harry has with me (in charge) is easy for you to see … I can say I had a few strikers who played for me and they are not bad,” Mourinho told reporters in a virtual news conference yesterday.
Mourinho confirmed forward Lucas Moura was available for today’s London derby at home to West Ham United after recovering from an injury while Dele Alli is also in contention after serving his one-match suspension.
