5 ways Tottenham can cope without Harry Kane

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is put onto a stretcher after coming off injured during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is put onto a stretcher after coming off injured during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur scores his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur scores his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

5. Rely on the defense

Much attention has been paid to Harry Kane’s meteoric rise under Mauricio Pochettino, but the club’s defense has also blossomed under the Argentine boss. It’s quite possible that in Kane’s absence, the defense can pick up the slack for the club.

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While Kane’s loss is huge, it’s actually Toby Alderweireld whose injury could most damage Spurs aspirations this season. The Belgian defender had quietly become one of the best centre backs in the world under Pochettino’s watchful eye. Losing him would be an absolute disaster for the club.

Tottenham are also blessed with one of the world’s top goal keepers in the form of French captain Hugo Lloris. He is certainly capable of keeping the club in matches with his excellent shot-stopping ability. The matches without Kane might require Lloris to make some top-shelf saves to keep Tottenham where they want to be.

Spurs aren’t going to park the bus without Kane leading the line, but they might pay a little more attention to the defensive end of the pitch. Tightening things up there may be the club’s most direct path towards dealing with Kane’s absence.