Ryan Mason has stated that Harry Kane's leadership qualities coupled with how he influences games make him the "best type of leader that you can get". Wearing the captain's armband in Hugo Lloris' absence for Tottenham's Premier League showdown against Manchester United, the 29-year-old played a pivotal role in Spurs coming from 2-0 down to claim a point.
Maybe not having a number of openings on goal, Kane was at his creative best as he teed Son Heung-min up for two very good chances in the second half, one of which the South Korean took to net a vital equaliser. Mason knows full well that Kane is Tottenham's best player and he is a leader in a number of different ways.
“He’s our best player, I don’t think I’m out of order saying that because he is our best player and he is a leader," said Tottenham's acting head coach. "There are many different ways as he’s a technical leader, he’s a leader in terms of his mannerisms, how he carries himself, the example that he sets and sometimes we don’t probably speak about that enough because he’s not the most loud and outspoken person.
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"But we know what type of leader we’ve got, we know what type of character we’ve got and when you put in performances like he did last night that can influence games, that’s the best type of leader that you can get."
Kane also brings with him many qualities from his role as England captain.
“Yes, it’s a massive responsibility to have the armband for the country that we live in. It’s huge," admitted Mason. "But listen, Harry had the armband on last night but I want to encourage many of the other players to be leaders as well because it’s not only one, it’s a collective. The more characters we can get with that personality to push each other and demand from each other, the better."
Despite becoming Tottenham's all-time top goalscorer back in February with his winner in the 1-0 victory over Man City, Kane is perhaps underappreciated by many, despite the number of goals he has plundered for club and country. Mason believes it could be later down the line when people fully appreciate Kane's incredible talent.
"It’s probably natural, I think we say that about all our great players. Maybe in 10 years we’ll look back and we’ll say what a great player Harry really was and that we probably should have celebrated him more while we were enjoying watching him play football," added Mason.
"I’ve always been quite consistent on that. I played with him, I saw it and I felt what kind of player he was. At the same time even as a fan of football it’s hard not to love and appreciate the type of player that he is."
Asked if he would get more credit if he was a foreign star who cost millions of pounds rather than a local lad who had come through the system, Mason said: "I’m not sure but in terms of any player coming through an academy, representing the club they love, consistently putting in top performances and also as well – and it probably doesn’t get spoken about enough – off the pitch we’re talking about someone who has acted in the right way for over a decade now.
"There have been no problems, no negativity, no scandals and that says a lot for me. I know Harry very well and I know his family very well as well. He’s an example of what I’d want any young kid to look up to."
Playing such a key role in helping Tottenham register a point against Manchester United, it was a welcome performance from Kane and Co as they helped stop the team's poor run of form after so much frustration since the 3-3 draw at Southampton.
Having very little time to work on things from a tactical perspective since Mason replaced Cristian Stellini at the Tottenham helm, the new acting head coach has outlined the importance of togetherness and belief as they look to leave Anfield with maximum points as they prepare to face Liverpool on Sunday.
"No, when you concede late goals and drop two points it's going to be frustrating," said Mason when it was put to him that Kane had spoken about frustration since the Southampton draw. "Honestly, the message has been to be a group, be together and want to work for each other and then the results will take care of themselves ultimately.
"We've had no time to work at all from a tactical point of view. That togetherness and belief in each other is key for Sunday and we have a clear week next week where we can get into them, give them information and try to change some things."
Much has been made of Tottenham's style of play this season, with fans desperate to see Spurs on the front foot in games and pressing and attacking their opponents. Mason believes that it is vital to implement a style that suits the players already at the club rather than one that doesn't, as that would instead be counter-productive.
"Honestly, at the moment we have got personnel and players that we need to try and get the best out of," revealed the acting head coach. "There is no point playing a system or style of football that doesn't suit the personnel on the football pitch because ultimately you are setting them up to fail.
"Obviously there needs to be an alignment between the style of play and the approach you want to take but also the tools you have. We're aware of that at this moment in time but probably most importantly the intent is key. Regardless of what the formation is, the togetherness, the aggressiveness and the will to work for each other is probably the most important thing in all the top teams."
Son grabbed the crucial goal in Thursday's 2-2 draw against Manchester United, which was his 13th goal in all competitions this season. Amid his previous struggles in front of goal at the beginning of the campaign, the South Korean has now scored in Tottenham's past four home games.
"Yeah, I think Sonny is at his best when he is attacking the line, attacking space," said Mason. "We saw last night that the goal came from that combination with him and Harry where Harry gets on the ball and Sonny comes alive.
"Sonny's had many chances this season and probably could have ended up with 20 to 25 goals at this stage of the season if he had been a bit more clinical or had a bit more luck at times. The most pleasing thing for me is throughout the season, yes Sonny has been disappointed he hasn't scored more goals but ultimately he has always got in the positions and continued to make the runs.
"When you're an attacking player that is key because at some point you're luck will change, the goal will go in and you'll find rhythm and start scoring again. Hopefully Sonny will be key for us in the next five games."
Turning 31 this summer, Son has two years left on his Tottenham contract after previously penning a fresh four-year deal in July 2021. So can Son go on and continue to make a name for himself at Tottenham beyond 2025?
"Sonny is a robust player and pretty much plays week in, week out, most seasons. We appreciate him, value him as a player and he is a team player which first and foremost is the most important thing," outlined Mason.
"I can't speak about in one, two or three years time because our focus right now has to be on finishing the season as well as possible and we'll go into the summer and see what happens."
As Son looks after himself very well, that could potentially help prolong his career into his late 30s.
"Yes naturally as years go by and research, sports science and nutrition gets better, players probably can prolong their career at the highest level," explained Mason.
"We're seeing that with players. Some players are playing until they are 35, 36, 37 still at the highest level and hopefully some of our top players can do that."
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