Lucas Moura wants Harry Kane to stay at Tottenham and win a trophy next season rather than heading off elsewhere.
Lucas wrapped up his time at Spurs on Sunday with a wonderful solo goal with his final touch of the game at Leeds United, adding to a brace from Kane and another from Pedro Porro in a 4-1 victory to end a disappointing season for the north London club on at least a small high.
The Brazilian's contract comes to an end next month and Kane is now approaching the final 12 months of his deal at Tottenham. The England captain has been linked with a move away from Spurs but Lucas wants to see the 29-year-old remain at the north London club and take them to silverware.
READ MORE: Tottenham's Harry Kane call, Daniel Levy's challenge and Pedro Porro's big moment on the bench
"It's very important for the club to keep him. The most important part in this process over the past 10 years, how the club changed the level, I think it’s because of Harry Kane," said Lucas. "He was very, very important. To keep him is the key point. I hope he can stay to help the team next season and to win a title. I will be supporting him.
"He is a special player, an amazing player and an amazing teammate. A big example for everyone. One of the best that I’ve played with. One of the best in England. He’s very, very important for Tottenham and the national team. For me it was a pleasure. I hope he can stay in this level and I will be supporting him for the rest of my career."
Lucas signed off his Tottenham career with a trademark slaloming goal, running past three challenges before slotting the ball past Joel Robles in the Leeds goal with practically the final kick of the game. It was the perfect last touch of his Tottenham career and the Spurs squad, including those on the bench, charged up the touchline and Lucas was lifted up on their shoulders in front of the noisy travelling fans to enjoy their support one last time.
"What a way to finish. Good performance, when I scored I was looking for this goal for a while. It has been a tough season and today was a very special day. I’m very, very happy to end in this way. One more special moment that I will keep in my heart," he said.
"Personally it was very hard [for me this season] because I didn't play a lot, I had a few problems with injuries and the team they struggled. We can do much, much better we know, but, yeah, what's done is done. Now it’s time to recover. I'm sure they will do better in the next season.
"We know it’s also hard because the Premier League is very difficult. There are a lot of teams who can arrive. It’s very competitive but we can do better, we have a squad to do better, we have quality players to do better, but now it is not time to complain anymore."
Lucas was asked what's gone wrong at a club he fired into a Champions League final just four years ago but has now finished eighth in the Premier League.
"We need more consistency because I think we’ve had a very good squad in every season that I’ve played here, a quality squad," he said. "We had a few problems outside of the pitch but there are no words to explain. I think, like I said, the squad that we have, we could do much, much better. Now it’s time to look for the next season."
One thing that will always be debated is whether Lucas should have started that Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019 after scoring the dramatic hat-trick against Ajax to take the team there. Instead Kane, who had been out injured for two months, returned to the starting line-up with the Brazilian on the bench.
"Everyone asks me this!" admitted Lucas. "Yes, the feeling was bad. I didn't expect it. Of course I wanted to play but what can I say? It’s the coach’s decision. I just… it was mutual respect and I was so focused to win that game, to be champion that I didn’t let this affect me or affect the team, but of course I wanted to play. I didn’t expect to be on the bench."
Who is your Spurs player of the season? Have your say by voting below!
READ NEXT:
- New Tottenham 2023/24 Nike home and away kits: Latest news, images and release date
Spurs given green light to bring back a piece of history outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Fabio Paratici - The man who can no longer tell Daniel Levy what to do at Tottenham
- Tottenham in Romaine Mundle contract race with first team promotion after Herbie James transfer
Tottenham complete transfer for talented young defender and striker signs new deal with the club
