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Tottenham should consider resting Harry Kane against Stoke City

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Harry Kane of Tottenham in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Harry Kane of Tottenham in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Vincent Janssen is perfect for a cold night in Stoke

Tottenham don’t need to panic over Harry Kane’s eight game goal scoring drought. Goals will come for last year’s Golden Boot winner. Even so, this weekend’s match at Stoke City presents Mauricio Pochettino with a good opportunity to rest his tired star.

Kane claims that he isn’t fatigued, but anyone with eyes can see he’s more than a bit leggy. He just hasn’t been able to zip around the pitch the same way he did last season. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Kane needs rest after how much football he’s played over the past 12 months.

Pochettino is a smart manager who no doubt, knows Kane will need rest during the campaign. After all, Spurs are primed and ready for Champions League football this year and Kane’s a must-start for all of those matches. That means Pochettino will have to find him rest during Premier League fixtures.

This weekend’s fixture at Stoke represents a perfect chance for Kane to gain some valuable rest. Stoke are a formidable opponent and they’re going to give Spurs a stern test at their home ground. With that being said, it’s still a perfect opportunity for Tottenham to start a different striker.

The man who should replace Kane is new signing Vincent Janssen. If a player were ever constructed for a “cold night in Stoke” it’s the burly Dutch centre forward. His ability to grind and battle against even the most physical of central defenders has endeared him to Tottenham fans from his arrival at the club.

That’s why Pochettino should give him the start against the Potters. It’s a match that Tottenham need to win, and Janssen’s work rate could really spark the rest of the club’s attack. Kane can begin the match on the bench, and hopefully Janssen can provide enough offensive firepower to leave him there for the full 90 minutes.

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Don’t forget that including Janssen in the starting XI won’t be only change at Stoke. Various reports from England already claim that Moussa Sissoko will take Erik Lamela’s place for the match to give the Argentine a rest. That makes it easier to justify making a second change in the regular starting XI.

Some Spurs fans reading this will resist the idea to rest Kane because of the club’s need to garner all three points from the match. While I agree it’s close to a “must win,” we have to remember that it’s just the fourth match of the Premier League season. The title won’t be won or lost in the season’s fourth match week.

Pochettino has shown the nerve to make tough decisions throughout his time in charge at Tottenham. He should make the tough choice to sit Harry Kane at Stoke to rest him for more important fixtures.

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