Pro Pundits

Can we rely on Spurs’ FPL assets without injured Harry Kane in the side?

Fantasy Premier League managers and Tottenham Hotspur fans alike are eagerly waiting for Harry Kane‘s (£11.1m) return from his latest ankle injury.

Watching the striker go down clutching that part of his leg has filled most of us with dread for several years now and we are already seeing some of the impact his absence has had on Jose Mourinho’s men.

At the very least, this time around, the latest news coming out of the Spurs camp does seem more positive than the last two injuries Kane suffered.

“The news is pretty good news. On the day of the Liverpool game, [we had] no idea. Then the next day we were thinking about three weeks, something like that. I do not want to be super optimistic but Harry is optimistic. He has the experience of some injuries in ankles and in Harry’s mind it is a couple of weeks, so let’s see if he is right.”

Jose Mourinho

However, even the most hopeful of Fantasy managers and Spurs fans don’t expect to see Kane back for at least another couple of FPL Gameweeks. The Spurs chatter suggests that the Manchester City game in Gameweek 24 might be the first time we see Kane pull on that trusty number 10 jersey again.

Either way, we cannot rely on him in the short-term but the question on many a Fantasy manager’s lips is what his absence means for his colleagues, especially the highly-popular and capable asset Son Heung-min (£9.7m).

Spurs without Kane in the past

Which FPL forward should we choose to replace Harry Kane?

Many of you will remember this sort of injury has happened before with Kane. On New Year’s Day at Southampton last season, he was substituted with ankle pain and did not return to Spurs’ first-team for 90 days.

It was only due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that he saw any further action at the end of 2019/20, making it back for Spurs’ first game of Project Restart against Manchester United.

Back in April 2019, Kane was out for 51 days with a ligament injury. In January 2019 he missed 40 days with an ankle injury. In March 2018 he missed 20 days with another ankle injury and in the 2016/17 season missed 73 days in total as a result of an ankle injury.

So we do have plenty of data to draw on when Spurs don’t have Kane although some of the circumstances have changed since his previous injury.

Spurs without Kane in 2019

CompetitionOppositionScorelineGoalsAssists
FA Cup
(3rd round)
Middlesborough (a)1-1 (D)MouraAurier
PLLiverpool (h)0-1 (L)
FA Cup
(3rd round R)
Middlesborough (h)2-1 (W)Lo Celso
Lamela
PLWatford (a)0-0 (D)
PLNorwich (h)2-1 (W)Dele
Son
Aurier
Dele
FA Cup
(4th round)
Southampton (a)1-1 (D)SonLamela
PLManchester City (h)2-0 (W)Bergwijn
Son
Moura
Ndombele
FA Cup
(4th round R)
Southampton (h)3-2 (W)Stephens (OG)
Son (pen)
Moura
Ndombele
Dele
PLAston Villa (a)3-2 (W)Alderweireld
Son (x2) (pen)
Bergwijn
Dier
UEFA CLLeipzig (h)0-1 (L)
PLChelsea (a)2-1 (L)Rudiger (OG)Lamela
PLWolves (a)2-3 (L)Bergwijn
Aurier
Aurier
Dele
FA Cup
(5th round)
Norwich1-1 (D)VertonghenLo Celso
PLBurnley1-1 (D)Dele (pen)Lamela

All Spurs fans will tell you how important Kane is to the success of the Spurs’ team.

However, back in the 2019/20 season it was maybe less concerning than it is right now. While Kane’s absence was felt, there were enough big performances and goal involvements from the rest of the side that Spurs continued to do well without him.

When you look at the games Kane missed in all competitions between January and Project Restart, the rest of the Spurs squad chipped in with their fair share of goal involvements.

  • Dele Alli (7.4m) provided two goals and three assists
  • Lucas Moura (6.6m) two goals, one assist
  • Eric Lamela (5.7m) one goal, three assists
  • Giovani Lo Celso (6.9m) one goal, one assist
  • Heung-Min Son (9.7m) six goals
  • Steven Bergwijn (7.0m) two goals, one assist
  • Tanguy Ndombele (5.9m) two assists

Even the defenders contributed with two goals and four assists between them.

However, since Kane left the field at half time against Liverpool in Gameweek 20, Spurs have failed to score. This, in part, should not be, and is not unexpected.

Over the course of the 2019/20 season the Kane was, not unexpectedly, Spurs’ top goal scorer however his team mates contributed too:

  • Kane – 24 goals in all competitions
  • Son – 18 goals in all competitions
  • Dele – 9 goals in all competitions
  • Moura – 7 goals in all competitions
  • Bergwijn – 3 goals in all competitions
  • Alderweireld – 2 goals in all competitions

However, over the course of the 2020/21 season so far the rest of the Spurs team have contributed far less to the number of goals the team have scored.

While Son and Kane are both on target to beat their goal totals from last season with 16 and 19 goals (in all competitions) respectively, they are providing 58% of the goals in all competitions and this increases to 70% of Premier League goals scored this season.

With Ndombele and Aurier the only other Spurs players to register more than one goal this season, Kane missing from the Spurs starting XI is likely to be a lot more costly this season than it was last. Furthermore, when you couple the loss of his assists as well, Spurs are decidedly short in attack without him.

Spurs without Kane in Gameweek 21

This is a massive worry for Son owners.

Son was the second-most transferred-out player ahead of Gameweek 22 with 276,748 managers saying goodbye to FPL’s third-highest point-scorer. At the time of writing, only Kane has been sold by more Fantasy managers.

With a tough match at home to Chelsea in Gameweek 21, followed by West Brom and then Manchester City, more Son sales look inevitable unless Mourinho can find the right balance for his Kane-free side.

During the second half of the Brighton game, things did improve for Spurs when Carlos Vinicius (6.9m) was introduced. The benefit of a target man in the Spurs side was noticeable with improvements.

When asked about the change from Gareth Bale (9.3m) for Vinicius after the match Mourinho said:

“I don’t like to individualise. We tried to start with a team who can try to give Son the same dynamic that he’s used to. There’s no replacement for Harry but we tried to give him that with Bale coming into his position to connect with Son, but we were not successful. But I’m not speaking about Bale, I’m speaking about us. In the second half, Vinicius is a different player. We tried to change the direction of the game. Vinicius as a target point brought us energy and he had a great shot with a great save from Sanchez. The reality is that the team improved.”

Jose Mourinho

While Spurs without Kane does the exact opposite of making Fantasy managers hearts flutter, the last half an hour of Gameweek 21 suggested that Spurs might just have enough about them to survive this latest injury blow.

The Gameweek 22 match against Chelsea will be a different prospect to Brighton. With Spurs and Chelsea playing out a 0-0 draw in the reverse of this fixture earlier on in the season, coupled with Son only managing two gaols in 10 games vs Chelsea, I am not expecting Son to return big for his owners this week.

But with the prospect of Kane returning sooner than originally feared I will be holding him, especially ahead of the West Brom game in Gameweek 23.

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Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

752 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Let's go Sterling!

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      People saying he is benched ... and Salah too .... both my C and VC ... I just hope it’s the usual rumour mill again otherwise this week has taken a terrible downturn ...

  2. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If Salah doesnt play, Andy is officially the jammiest player in the game right now. Bruno (v)

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      anyone know vc percentages?

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And btw, I'm not criticising him! 🙂

    3. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wow he has Bruno vice? Salah definitely not playing then

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Average fpl manager at best. It happens now and then. Everything goes right no matter what you do

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I agree with the second point, so relatable. Either everything good right or the extreme opposite

        I've always thought his play-style is conservative but his history is still one of the best

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Wouldn't go that far mate. I mean its ok but to say its his job , he probably should do better every season . Not somone i would follow for fpl advice personally if i ever did follow anyone ( never happen anyway) . I see him as very template

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good lad, last season he's got hacked. This season so far unbelievable ...

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Has somone hacked him this season? 😆

        1. John Nerdelbaum
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lol

    6. OleBall
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone has their own slice of luck over the season

  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dreading a Cancelo haul.

  4. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    salah is confirmed out or benched?

    plz confirm this rumors
    bednarek is haunting me

  5. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If you can't wait until 5pm, keep an eye on FPL Rockstar on twitter 5-10 mins before team sheets. Looks like he will be making a few player announcements this evening

  6. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    VC Cancelo here

  7. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What’s this Salah talk? Any truth in it or just nonsense?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Typical matchday on here.

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      99 % truth.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just made up.

  8. FPL_Motty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Man what is with all this whining about VC and C for players who have literally not even played yet. Grealish / Cancelo / Gundogan, anybody can haul tonight, even Salah with 30mins. Stop whining and just see what happens..

  9. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tonight is quickly turning into a bad night

    • wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If Salah is not injured he will start,they need him to win.I don't believe a world from this toxic twitter accounts.

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Sterling? So no C or VC for me this GW

    • Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why would Salah not start after they struggled vs Burnley?

      Gonna be absolutely fuming after selling Sterling to him for a -4 and capping.

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Injured apparently

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Was it mentioned in the press conference?

          1. Fudgy
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Nope late fitness test is the rumour

          2. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            He got injured today

      2. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He must just be injured. I’m not sure Klopp would bench him considering what happened against Burnley. No point beating Man City on Sunday if they lose tonight.

      3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        You can't have top 5k spawn every week pal 😉

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Haha it’s all falling apart!

    • JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe time to cash in on Stones if he's out tonight. May go for Rudiger if he starts

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Azpilicueta for me.

        1. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Good shout...a player I've liked owning in the past.

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Alonso!

    • Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've had an FPL eureka moment - quite idiotic I admit at this stage of my game. Was looking at McCarthy - So keepers can't earn minus points? 🙂

      I reckon McCarthy should have scored -2. Not his fault totally I know, but should 9-0 not have an fpl score consequence (same for def)?

      1. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Save points that's why...

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        :lol 😆 😆

      3. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Unless they are Leno and get a -1

      4. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Come on mate. Think about it.

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          The penny dropped 🙂

      5. Calculated Risks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Save points

      6. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        GK has been vaccinated from virus minus 😆

      7. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He had 6 saves....

      8. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        waiting for the moment

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ah got it! But only from the replies above 🙂

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Haha. Good

    • Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So much more fun spreading rumours and guessing than waiting these 10 minutes of dead time. Kane back next week is the real news of the last hours, happy I held onto him to preserve my TF as he’ll be on a run after Man City

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Transferred him out last week to enable my FT's and price drops/rises since will enable me to bring him back in this gw with a few extra quid in the bank

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fpl rockstar news incoming. Meltdown here

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Already got my pegs on my nipples.

    • R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like Laporte is starting xD

      https://twitter.com/spbajko/status/1357007291577487362

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah likely left back

    • fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah C, Gundo VC

      Is this going to be the third week of tiny decisions defining the gameweek?

      Benched Soucek
      Benched Bamford
      Didn't VC Bruno

      -.-

    • DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hate pep so much.

    • Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah is such a fkn troll, always miss the hauls then bring him in for rogue benchings and blanks, fk me

    • Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden rested says Rockstar

    • OleBall
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden benched

    • 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden benched. Everyone else notable plays. Laporte left baclk

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden benched

    • tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden benched.

      1. Party time
          3 years, 1 month ago

          As expected

      2. Party time
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Dias benched would be beautiful

        • Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Announce Dias and Sterling fpl rockstarrr

        • Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          People, why speculate when you will know the starting 11 with certainty in literally 5 mins?

          1. FPL_Motty
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I know, really..

          2. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            😆 exactly, funny though

        • Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          If Stones or Cancelo are benched, I'm on the booze (AWB first sub)

          If they're playing, I'm on the booze.

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers either way then!

          2. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            They start

          3. jason_ni
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I need dias or cancelo to get benched to get my awb points.

            Not hopeful!