"Awakening the beast within.
Exploring a different Dimension."

Jose Mourinho's Harry Kane.

A thread:

Harry Kane's form is right now the most discussed topic for not only Spurs' fanbase, but the world.

People FINALLY seem to see that he brings a lot more than just finishing to the team.

Kane already has 6 assists, 1 away from equalling his best assist stats in the league.

People can already disregard what they're about to read next by saying, "Oh, he used to do the same thing under Poch too, Jose didn't change anything."

If this is what you think, I hope this thread changes your mind.

By the end, I hope Jose gets a lot more credit. Seriously.

To understand Kane under Poch, let's go back to Spurs under Poch:

"Prime Spurs," as we fondly love to call it, was an expansive, high-pressing, side that refused to sit back no matter what the situation was.

Walker and Rose were the chief initiators of the high-press.
(1/3)

Furthermore, Spurs' chief source of CREATIVITY was NOT KANE. It was Eriksen.

1: Eriksen would find the spaces between the lines.
2: Peak Raumdeuter Dele.
3: And Kane? Was at the end of the brilliant football, to convert the chances

Kane dropped back, but only in parts.
(2/2)

As I said, Kane's vision got better with time. But under Poch, the reliance on creativity was on Eriksen. The Dane managed to create chances out of nothing through his vision

Kane was establishing himself more as a deadly upcoming world-class striker

Spurs and Kane have adapted

I will go as far as saying that Poch's Spurs (2016-2018), produced one of the best collective efforts any team has ever made in the PL.

Unfortunately, despite the CL final, the 2018/19 season saw so many fractured relationships.

And today, we are where we are, under Jose.

The thing that changed Kane's style of play was the fact that he kept getting injured. You might argue that it was due to the lack of another ST.

But, remember Kane got injured when we had Llorente too?
It has a lot to do with the systemic workload as well.

Kane had to change.

Jose's Spurs:

Jose doesn't set his teams up with the focus on HIS TEAM's Strengths, but, he sets them up with the focus on the OPPOSITION's weaknesses.

This is why we don't play the SAME way every game.
This manages the intensity & also allows scope for tactical improvisation

People need to understand that Harry can be a LOT of things. But, he cannot be an OUT-AND-OUT pressing forward.

A: He doesn't have the speed.
B: He is forced to overwork.

Jose realised this, months into his tenure.
That hamstring injury actually helped Jose to figure out more.

Now, in that frontline, Kane is the slowest player, Son being the fastest.

The idea is to pull Kane behind to receive the ball. When this happens, opposing CBs/DMs also move along with Kane to continue man-marking.

Space opens up for Sonny to dash in, and Kane plays the pass.

The Kane x Son partnership is the result of giving full creative freedom to Kane. Son alertly explores the Spaces that free up due to opposing players being dragged to dispossess Kane.

Essentially, Spurs don't play a 4-3-3.
They play a 4-3-1-2.

With Kane being a true #10.

Gio and Tanguy have the vision to play passes that break lines during build-up play.

You're slowly noticing Tanguy's vibrant quick-passes & Gio is a more aggressive ball-carrier.

But, during counter-attacks, which Jose's teams are ruthless in, the passing must be more incisive.

Somehow, when Gio is on a counter, the FINAL PASS, misses out by inches. We've seen this so many times. No doubt, Gio will get better with this

But, to cover for that, Jose has turned Kane into the one who STARTS counters instead of finishing them. The best thing for Kane.

Even if we all see Gio and Tanguy controlling the midfield in the future. There's one thing that the whole team, fans, and neutrals agree:

"Kane is Spurs' best passer."

This has been explored to ensure A LOT OF THINGS.

A: Efficient Counters.
B: Saving Kane's career.

You must understand how much this new role is going to help Kane.

The workload has been dropped off, with him being put on creative duties during counters.

Kane knows deep down that this is going to extend the longevity of his career. You can see how happy he is in the role.

Kane drops as a #10 during our counters, allowing Son and soon Bale to finish them off

But, when Spurs build their attacks, he will always find his way to the box

When attacks go through the midfield and play spreads to the FBs, Kane will get his chances, and WILL get his goals

I want you to take this fact away from this thread:

Jose is protecting Kane from straining himself during attacks by making him the creator (#10) during counters

But, when attacks are patiently built, he is in the box
Essentially, Kane's lack of pace is covered with his vision.

Jose Mourinho is a manager who tries to ensure that his players' strengths are explored.

Kane is the leading assistor in the PL, because of his passing on plates during counters.

He also has 8 goals in all comps, as Spurs DON'T JUST COUNTER.

Expect more from Kane. A LOT MORE

End of thread.

Likes and retweets appreciated.

Some of you will be wondering, "What's the new thing I took from this thread, I already know this."

To those people, I'd like to say that I'm GLAD that you do.
It means your watching Mourinho's Spurs in the right way.

Note:

This thread was just to open minor details of Kane's play that you may/may not have noticed. It's nothing GROUNDBREAKING

Just understand that Kane no longer plays as a #9, but as a hybrid between #9 & #10

There IS a difference between Poch's Kane & Jose's Kane.
Enjoy it.

@thfcrueben @Zeus84053707 @LeeMcQueen @NozAhmed @thfcgianni @cenkoza @ValyrianCA

And to every single Spurs fan, I hope this thread is insightful to you all.

Cheers,
Soos.