Gareth Southgate believes that Harry Kane has been able to maintain his goalscoring form at international level despite early-season difficulties at Tottenham Hotspur.
Although he has found the net five times in the Europa Conference League and once in the Carabao Cup, Kane is still waiting for his first Premier League goal this season and his worrying form has led to further speculation about his Spurs commitment following a failed move to Manchester City in the summer.
However, the 28-year-old has continued to score on the international stage, hitting three goals in three outings during the last international break.
He’ll be confident of scoring for an impressive 16th straight qualifying game tonight too, as England face Hungary at Wembley.
“What’s going on with his club is none of my business really,” said Southgate. “In terms of what we ask him to do, I think we’ve obviously got a settled way of playing here.
“His teammates know him, he knows his teammates, he knows the patterns of play that we play towards. There are obviously some games that are against a lower level of opponent, where it’s slightly easier to score goals."
Kane remains England’s top striker and overtook Michael Owen’s tally of 40 goals when he scored against Poland in September.
He’s likely to surpass Wayne Rooney’s all-time record of 53 England goals soon, too, and Southgate has explained why he thrives on the international stage.
“Environment," he said. "I think it’s an environment where he knows we have belief but we have pushed him.
“Harry obviously scored three goals in three different matches for us in September so I didn’t sense any change in his approach with us.
“There’s a lot changes at the club, a new manager and new tactical formations. Like all players, there will be an adaptation to that.”
Spurs fans will be hoping that Kane can replicate his international form in the Premier League, starting with a goal or two against newly rich Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.
