Harry Kane can be one of the best strikers in history, predicts Antonio Conte

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has backed Harry Kane to become one of the best strikers in history.

The England captain has reached new heights in the last two years, continuing to be prolific in front of goal while also becoming the team’s best playmaker when dropping into a No 10 role.

He is on the brink of becoming his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, a record he is also close to breaking at Spurs, while he has targeted breaking Alan Shearer’s all-time tally in the Premier League.

Conte already rates him as world class but think he can go on and have a lasting legacy.

“I think he deserves an important position in the world of football,” Conte said ahead of Saturday’s visit to Aston Villa.

“I think Harry also he has the right age to show that he can be one of the best, best in the world but especially in history no?

“He’s already in the history because he scored a lot of goals for the club and scored a lot of goals for the national team. He’s the captain.

“He has the right age to consolidate and be one of the best in the world. His role, he’s a No 9 but at the same time he can be a No 10 because of his quality.

“He’s very good to make assists and to put the ball where he wants. We try also to exploit this aspect and give the ball to him.

“About our team, I’m trying to improve not his quality but to be more effective, to be in the box and a striker.

TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 6 The Frenchman looked shaky when tested and should have done better when Schar’s free-kick squeezed through his wall and into the bottom corner. EPA

“I repeat we’re talking about a fantastic player, so it’s very difficult to improve him but we’re trying to work, to push him to have the top ambition to become the best