The one that got away.
It’s difficult to truly gauge the potential of youth players at an early stage. From watching them, scouts and coaches can establish that a player is talented, for sure, but it’s difficult to confidently define their elite-level credentials.
As ridiculous as it sounds, Arsenal didn’t think Harry Kane was a prospect worth pursuing. Through a tremendous amount of hard work in the gym and on the training pitch, the England striker has blossomed into one of the deadliest finishers in the modern game.
Of course, while much of his development is down to his own graft and desire to be one of the best, he will forever owe a debt to Spurs for sticking with him and committing to developing him as a player.
Harry Kane in 2017/18 🔥🔥🔥
🔵Games: 37
⚽Goals: 36 pic.twitter.com/cUOrgaz1eN— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 10, 2018
It’s a process that takes time and, as it turns out, Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal were unwilling to take the chance on a young Kane when he was trying to make his way in football.
Speaking to Italian publication Corriere della Sera, former Arsenal and Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Brady revealed that the Gunners passed on the opportunity to sign Kane because he was overweight.
“Unfortunately it was like that, he was fat, not very athletic and we were wrong,” he said.
Brady, who won two Serie A titles with Juventus and an FA Cup with Arsenal during his illustrious career, also served as the Gunners’ academy director for 20 years and understandably harbours a lingering sense of regret over turning down a player of Kane’s potential.
“But Tottenham sent him out on loan to lower-division clubs three or four times as well.
“But through his determination he has carved out an amazing career and he deserves it. He has a character that drives him to improve all the time.
“After Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski, there is Harry Kane. The statistics speak for themselves and he’s still only 24.”
