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

    Those with double City def + gundo

    Are you starting all 3 v pool?

    Or double def bench gundo or 1 def and gundo

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Currently playing Cancelo and benching Stones, might bench Gundo too but that depends on my transfer.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Starting both city defenders, removing Robbo for Shaw/AWB, will start Salah and Gundo though of course

    3. One Touch Please
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Starting one D and swapping gund for grealish with one of my 2FT

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Actually this isn’t a bad idea, gave me a thought to consider cheers

      2. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What if they have dgw in gw24 - would you bring Gundo back or someone else

        1. One Touch Please
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Will get back up to 3 City for their DGW. Who will depend on pep roulette, kdb return, etc.

          So many good options for cheap that points lost on one can be gained from another

    4. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Going to play Cancelo and bench the other 2

    5. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Currently playing Cancelo, benching Stones and Gundo - playing Watkins ahead of Gundo

    6. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ill bench Stones I think

    7. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've got Lowton, Justin and Coufal with decent fixtures next week. Think I'll only bench Stones though.

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

        Nice cross section of decisions here, gl all!

    8. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Starting both def (Dias and Stones), undecided on Gundo - depends on my fwd transfer

    9. Hiddenpaw
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m playing all three and hoping Salah Mane are not fit. This sounds like a bad plan.

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

    First outing of the season for my triple city defence. Exciting stuff.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Welcome to points in the bag before a ball has been kicked 🙂

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

        Don't jinx it!

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Haha! Hoping not to, but a cleanie does look very much on the cards

  3. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ahh I come online and see that the non Salah owners are back again with their weekly injury rumours. Very strange individuals. Basement dwellers. Terrified of female interaction too I imagine. I will be reporting all of these posts.

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

      OSRS fan :O

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Those were the days mate :p

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No, they're ok with limited female interaction as they all live at home with their mum, but I get your point.

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

      I was tempted for weeks having been double since before Christmas but feared a cancellation, now it’s Liverpool next then Kane’s return for Spurs...

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

      Would bring in Fernandes cap for me, so yes please!

    5. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You just described Fudgy...

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have a feeling Burnley will score tonight

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here

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

      Hopefully. I only have one city defender.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They definitely will

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Double question!

    Play one:
    A) Meslier (CRY)
    B) Martinez (ARS)

    Robbo > AWB
    1) Yay
    2) Nay

    1. soumyeah
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez, nay

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

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

    B2

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

      Actually, B1

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  7. soumyeah
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dying weekly on Mt. Foden

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Me too gone this week I reckon

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yea - Foden to Saka, or Barnes if I find 50p behind the sofa cushion.

      1. soumyeah
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        cue him starting and exploding the moment we move on

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

    Salah sighted 15 mins ago in ASDA buying Pringles (salt & vinegar), large bag of Revels, 2 litre bottle of Irn Bru and a copy of Women’s Own .... definitely not playing tonight.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Source?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          😆

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

          Photo taken whilst he pondered his purchases ...

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

      Wife’s definitely cheated on him then.

  9. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo stones dallas
    Salah Bruno gundo son grealish
    Antonio dcl

    Subs Meslier, Bamford, coufal, Mitchell
    3.4m itb 2ft. I don't want to lose a ft but I can't think of any moves I should make. Help please:)??

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you've still got BB, upgrade Mitchell

      1. RamboRN
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No bb left 🙁

      2. One Touch Please
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yup. Aim for a villa, burnley or *gulp* saints

  10. Tomm
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If salah don't play i get Fernando's vc points lol

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

      So does everyone else 🙂

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

        Whoops

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not everyone though

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Torres?

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

      So does everyone else.

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I went Stones(c)...

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          *(vc)

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

          Best of luck then. Got him.

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

      Cancelo (VC). I even switched from Fernandes (VC) :S

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Me too on both counts. Doh

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

    The only saving grace with owning Mitrovic was that, when I sold him, I didn't have to worry for one second about getting punished by him.

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think I saw Mitrovic in a movie called "Taken"

      He may not punish you in FPL, but he could kidnap a loved-one and sell them to a Old Saudi Oligarch

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Don't associate Serbs with Albanians, thank you!

      2. JohnnyRev7
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It was Liam Neeson:

        "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."

        Never, ever, mess with a Daddy and his Daughter.

  12. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Phew - Gundo, Stones and Cancelo all start, and Justin (who I have benched) as further insurance against Bednarek coming on as third sub.

    Now just hope Salah(c) starts... please, please, please. 18/21 captain fails this season.

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

      What do you class as a captain fail? No more than 10 points?

      1. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think anything in single digits (x2) is a fail, though at a push 9 (i.e. a striker goal and 3 bonus) I would settle for.

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

          8 points from your captain isn’t a fail either tbh. A goal is a goal. Literally impossible to have double digits each week from your cap. Also depends on how other popular choices did.

        2. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          What do you call 1 assist from your last 10 captain picks?

          1. Plagued by indecision
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            a twin

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A fail is less than 4 points I think.

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Anything that includes a goal, assist or defensive points I’d say, although Laca’s 4 point ‘haul’ would’ve been stretching it

  13. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Answering to people referring to Twitter account rumours saying ''There is a chance Salah could be benched'' , just know there is always the chance that we get hit by a gigantic meteorite and I haven't even used my chips yet.

  14. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sooooo hoping for a Salah no show

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The Pharoah NEEDS a Rest!

      Or

      Hopefully the Refs go crazy with Red Cards and Penalties to give Pool a shambolic 10-0 victory.

      Southampton was shamefully sacked by VAR and Refs yesterday. They even added injury time to a 8-0 game! They gave a dodgy PK and Red in a 7-0 game! They took away a goal because Che Adams has slightly longer fingernails than the MU defender, with Adams' feet clearly planted On-Side.

  15. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogan benchers unite!!

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

      and pray!

    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      what?!

  16. mezza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How funny would it be if Salah scored a hat trick now.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It’s funny, I want a no show but actually do feel a hat trick could happen if he starts from the off

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      More a relief if anything. His EO is through the roof.

  17. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why are there Salah benching or missing rumors every fecking time I own him. Sick of it. Not a single rumor when he braced last week.

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

      Because most have Bruno as vice captain and want him to come one. Then the metamorphosis begins.

      1. JohnnyRev7
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But it's the reverse on FFS compared to the beauty of the natural world:

        Caterpillar ---> Chrysalis ---> Butterfly

        On here it's:

        Sensible comments ---> Self entitled ---> Troll

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

    Let's hope this theory about Gundo being less effective when a proper striker starts compared to a false 9 better be proved wrong tonight!

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

      I am concerned that Mahrez is starting. That front three could hoover up all the available points.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not convinced. He was still making runs and arriving in box late last games, just worked out that the passes didn't find him ... that time. Same so far this 1st half, looking to get in box plenty with a striker in front

  19. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raheem you worthless turd. Repair some of the damage you've already done please.

  20. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah is out means out on the pitch warming up?

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

      He’ll be exhausted by the time the game starts.

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Will be rested then

  21. afcblegend
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Love the ridiculous US pharma (side effects may include) commercials when I watch on NBCSN

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gulp...we Americans are hoping the rest of the world does not see that 75% of the nation is...

      Herpes Infected

      Schizophrenics

      Erectile Dysfunctional

      and with

      General neurotics with deep psychiatrics needs.

      But this is generally the educated, upper middle class folks that deep seeded crazy and twisted. Working folks are too busy to be crazy.

  22. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson > bamford a good move ?

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

      I'd give Wilson the Southampton game.

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

      No I’d leave it for now.

  23. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Petition to bring Anfield Express back

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

      Gundo (c) looks up for it tonight....what a focused specimen, I just hope he doesn’t get hauled off at half time like Shaw last night ....who appears less committed to his mind and body

    • Isco Disco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Omg! JUSTINNNNNNNN
      I know I’m a lil late to the party but I just saw that he scored a beautiful goal.
      Get inn my boi! He’s one of the only 3 players I haven’t transferred since it since GW 1

    • gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Robertson get out of my team. Waste of money!