Chris Wood has admitted “it was not clear” Harry Kane would go on to become a world-class striker. At 29, the Tottenham Hotspur talisman is regarded as an elite finisher and will lead England into battle at the World Cup.
Just three goals at the tournament would see Kane eclipse Wayne Rooney and become the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer. With 195 Premier League strikes to his name, he is also closing in on Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer’s top-flight record.
However, Kane’s road to stardom was not as smooth as some would think. Loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester City made the striker somewhat of a journeyman before he established himself at Tottenham.
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It was at the latter where Wood briefly linked up with Kane in 2013. At the time, the New Zealand international was unaware of how good the loanee would become.
“He had all the ability in the world,” Wood told Eurosport. “Left foot, right foot, finishing was a joke. He was class like that. It was then putting it into game situations for him.
“I think when he went back from Leicester was when it clicked for him at Tottenham. He got given a chance and he grabbed it with both hands and turned into the monster and the beast of a scoring machine he is today.
“Fantastic player. Great man. Nice humble guy. (He) was a brilliant guy when I knew him at Leicester and he continues to be so. It wasn’t clear that he was going to be as good as he is. If not probably the best striker the Premier League has ever seen potentially in the future.”
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