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Tottenham should shut Harry Kane down for the season

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur reacts after missing a chance during The Emirates FA Cup Semi Final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur reacts after missing a chance during The Emirates FA Cup Semi Final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham need to protect Harry Kane from himself

After yesterday’s FA Cup debacle Tottenham aren’t left with a ton to play for this season. That’s part of the reason they should leave Harry Kane on the bench for the rest of the 2017-18 campaign.

Yes, Spurs still need to make sure they finish in the top four but that should be a pretty straightforward proposition. The club’s remaining fixtures aren’t exactly a murderer’s row. Tottenham enjoy a five point advantage over Chelsea with four matches to go.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side hosts three of the four remaining fixtures and the only away trip is to West Brom. Granted, the Baggies have looked lively as of late, but it’s still a side that Tottenham should be able to handle without Kane.

The three home fixtures comes against Watford, Newcastle and Leicester City. Those aren’t simple matches, but again, Spurs have enough quality to handle those mediocre Premier League sides without Kane. Tottenham don’t need to win out, six points should be enough to consolidate their place in the top four.

Putting Kane on ice would be a risk, but it’s also clear that he isn’t fully fit. The England striker hasn’t looked like himself since his most recent return from injury. He managed to score goals against Stoke and Brighton, but he hasn’t created nearly as many chances as usual. Whether he’s still suffering from his ankle injury or is simply burned out, he’d benefit from some serious rest time.

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He certainly won’t get any this summer. Kane will head to Russia with Gareth Southgate’s squad with massive expectations on his shoulders. In a normal summer, he could rest and recuperate. Not this year. If Tottenham can buy him several crucial weeks of rest now, it could pay off at the beginning of next season.

Leaving Kane out of the side could also provide a lot of clarity about the rest of the squad. Pochettino clearly doesn’t believe Fernando Llorente is capable of serving as the club’s backup striker. As a result, he’s gone with Heung-Min Son more often than not.

Spurs need to determine whether or not Son is adequate cover for Kane. If Son can’t do the job, then Pochettino will have to purchase a replacement for Llorente this summer. Finding a suitable backup for Kane has been a real problem over the past couple seasons. In a strange way, Son failing to produce as a striker over the last four matches of the season could give Pochettino more power to compel Daniel Levy into spending big on the position this summer.

Next: Tottenham star has given up on Pochettino

It’s time for Tottenham to pack up and start to prepare for next season. Resting Harry Kane isn’t the most fun plan, but it’s the most logical for the club. Pochettino should wrap him in bubble wrap and leave him on the bench until next season begins.

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