ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has hailed Mauricio Pochettino’s fitness regime at Tottenham for helping Harry Kane become one of the world’s most lethal strikers.
Kane has scored 27 goals since January, and an impressive 13 in the month of September alone.
He will now be hoping to transfer his club form onto the international stage when he leads the line for the Three Lions this week in the World Cup Qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania.
And Southgate is in no doubt who deserves huge credit for the continued development of Kane.
He said: “The biggest change has been physical, since Mauricio has been there the conditioning work they do has improved the team and Harry has benefited from that.
“He looks strong, lean, a little bit quicker and sharper. In France he was up against some world-class defenders and was running in behind them and along the sides as well as being strong and clever.
“I think the biggest change has been physical and then that has an effect on your mentality. If you know you’re in good physical condition then mentally you’re in a better place.”
“I know Jesus [Perez], Mauricio’s assistant, is in charge of that area of their training, and we noticed a definite difference that allowed them to play the pressing game they want to play.
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“It was the same at Southampton. There was a definite impact on all the Spurs players from their club training.”
And with Kane’s team-mates Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Kieran Trippier key members of the current England squad, Southgate appears to have a lot to be thankful for.
Southgate is displaying a relaxed attitude ahead of the qualifiers that will guarantee England’s spot at Russia 2018 World Cup.
SunSport reported how he has given the green light for Wags to invade Russia.
The England boss will keep his players away from partying between the Premier League season and World Cup but is relaxed about wives and girlfriends at next year’s global tournament.
He said: “I don’t think there has ever been a tournament where the whole family has been in with us the whole time. But will I encourage families to come and the lads to see them the day after a game, absolutely I will.
“For some, that will be really important. Sadly for my family, not so much. I’m there and I’m focused and I don’t want to be distracted.”
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