It was interesting to note that when Harry Kane launched his charitable foundation on Monday, with the aim of transforming the conversation around mental health, he brought up his release by Arsenal at the age of eight.
The Tottenham and England striker did not hide the detail; it’s part of his story and he’s always been an open person, happy to get involved. But at the same time, he’s long had the trappings of a guilty secret – you know, hometown hero Spurs and the other North London crowd.
Kane wanted to share the episode in a cartoon that aired on his social media because he felt it was important to address the subject of rejection for his young (and older, too) fans; to show that strength can come in adversity if there is the will to “go back and work even harder”.
The 29-year-old read a bedtime story for local children that night on CBeebies and in it he admitted to feeling vulnerable and fearful at times, and how good everything was.
It was Kane opening up to own the narrative in all the right ways and for all the right reasons. It also brought to light the unique truth behind all he accomplished. To paraphrase him from his press conference ahead of the Champions League home tie against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, his identity is to fight and prove people wrong.
Kane has a lot on his plate, a big weight on his shoulders – mainly because of the World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar towards the end of next month. Every time the England captain feels a challenge and falls, it’s as if the nation holds its breath. An injury to Gareth Southgate’s talisman is unthinkable. Kane also pledged to wear the OneLove armband during the final as part of an anti-discrimination initiative and in support of the LGBTQ+ community. He took on the responsibility of being a face for the campaign.
But first the Spurs and the jump of his last hurdle. Kane started the season brilliantly – with eight goals in 12 club appearances, almost all of them decisive. If it hadn’t been for a guy at Manchester City, Kane’s form would have been more widely advertised. And yet, in three Champions League matches so far, he has made blanks. That needs to change, with even Spurs manager Antonio Conte acknowledging that “we need his Champions League goals”.
Kane goes back to rejection from Arsenal. He looks back on those loan spells at the start of his professional career – two of which, at Norwich and Leicester, didn’t work out. He will dig deeper and he will win.
“It’s always been part of my personality to prove people wrong and when you think back to my career…my loan and the things I had to accomplish to get to where I am now for sure, it’s part of my identity,” Kane said when asked about the Arsenal rejection cartoon.
“This is a very important message for any young boy or girl who wants to be a footballer or anything in life. There will be knocks along the way but it all depends on how you handle it – keep it up to work and keep moving forward. My personality is to prove, not only to people that they are wrong, but to myself, that I can be the best that I can be.
“I want to score in every game. There have been a few in the [Champions League] group and I was disappointed not to be registered on the match sheet. I hope to be able to turn the tide. »
For Kane and his teammates, the ruthlessness was not there in last Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Eintracht in Frankfurt and, with the group finely balanced, Conte didn’t have to explain why Spurs had to’ exploit” Wednesday’s draw and the following one against Sporting, also at home.
Conte will again be without Dejan Kulusevski, who has undergone a precautionary examination of his injured hamstring; it showed no problem and he could return against Everton on Saturday. Lucas Moura is back in the team after a tendon problem.
Kane was asked about Erling Haaland, who started the season in such a torrid form at City. Kane has nothing but respect and admiration for him but a rival’s numbers don’t concern him. “Because I can’t control anything,” Kane said.
“I focus on what I can do and help the team in any way I can. Everything is going well so far in the Premier League. I want to try to score a few more goals in the Champions League.