Talking Tactics

How Kane has become a great playmaker forward

4 Mar 2022
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Adrian Clarke says the Spurs star has turned into one of the league's best chance creators

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Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 28.

Harry Kane (TOT)

Kane is evolving into one of the best playmaker centre-forwards of his generation.

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During a spell working with Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur, he developed as a creator, dropping into pockets of space to make a joint season-high 13 through-balls in 2019/20.

He followed that up winning the 2020/21 Playmaker Award with a league-leading 14 assists in the campaign.

This season, particularly in recent matches at Manchester City and Leeds United, Kane has taken his long-passing prowess to another level.

Attempting six through-balls across those two matches, he is now ranked second only to Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in that department in the current Premier League season.

No other central striker has created more big chances than the Spurs talisman either.

Big chances and through-balls 21/22*
Most big chances created Most through-balls
Alexander-Arnold 14 Fernandes 20
Salah 14 Kane 16
Fernandes 14 Odegaard 16
Kane 10 Buendia 15
De Bruyne 9 Cancelo 15

*Stats correct before Matchweek 28

Frank Lampard's Everton are less likely than Leeds or Man City to leave space in behind for Kane to hit with longer passes on Monday, but they cannot ignore his threat.

If the Toffees' midfield allow Kane to collect the ball in behind them, he has the ability to slide in Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski or either of the wing-backs.

In the 4-0 victory at Leeds, he released Son with a sensational long pass from inside his own half, as well as right wing-backs Emerson Royal and Matt Doherty with sublimely weighted through-balls.

Kane's assist for Son

This followed up a tremendous individual display against Man City when Kane sent Son away with another pair of precision passes.

Kane (71) is unlikely to match Wayne Rooney’s incredible record of 258 through-balls as a Premier League forward, but he is one of the best exponents of this skill we have in English football right now.

Kane long pass stats by season
Season Long pass accuracy %
2021/22 72.6
2020/21 61.3
2019/20 44.2
2018/19 62
2017/18 70.6

His best trait will always be the outstanding quality of his finishing, but his passing has been consistently excellent in recent years.

When you compare his long-pass accuracy to other top-flight stars who have attempted 50+ balls, Kane's passing technique stands up alongside the league's very best.

Long-pass comparison 21/22*
Player Long passes Successful  Accuracy
Trossard 72 52 76.4%
Pogba 83 62 74.7%
Rodri 156 114 73.1%
Kane 62 45 72.6%
Rice 109 74 67.9%

*Stats correct before Matchweek 28
**Minimum 50 long passes attempted

There is not another centre-forward like Kane in the league, who can spread play as effectively or put team-mates in the clear with passes played in behind.

Michail Antonio (63.6 per cent) is the closest, but he has completed fewer than half as many successful long passes for West Ham United.

This developing strength is eye-catching in the present, but it could also help Kane prolong his career at the highest level.

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