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Kane warns Premier League: Tottenham's academy is a conveyor belt of brilliance

Jake Livermore, Andros Townsend and Harry Winks have all come through the Spurs system
Jake Livermore, Andros Townsend and Harry Winks have all come through the Spurs system

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has warned the Premier League that the White Hart Lane academy will continue to produce great players for years to come.

Kane, who came through the club’s famed youth system, has netted 79 goals in 148 appearances for the club – 62 in 101 Premier League games.

With the likes of Ryan Mason, Andros Townsend, Tom Carroll having already making a mark in the top flight and Harry Winks coming through now, Kane insists the conveyor belt with be churning out brilliance for years to come.

In an exclusive interview with Yahoo Sport, Kane singled out head of coaching and player development John McDermott as the reason for the academy’s phenomenal success.

He said: “Over the years John has done an incredible job with the players there. He teaches youngsters just what they need to do to earn a living from football.

“Players like myself, Ryan, Andros and Tom– we have all come through and played at the top level – but John has produced so many more that have gone on to play in the Football League and make a career for themselves.

There’s a still long way to go and a lot of games to be played. We can make up the ground on Chelsea.

“John sees the bigger picture. He knows not every player will make it to the Premier League but has the attributes to set players on the right road.

“He was a great help to me and he played a huge part in making me the player I am.”

Kane is tipping 17-year-old Marcus Edwards to be the next big thing too. He added: “Marcus has been around the first team this season – he’s a fantastic young player, great on the ball, very hard to stop when he gets going – very much one to look out for.”

Harry Kane has tipped Marcus Edwards to make a huge impression for Spurs
Harry Kane has tipped Marcus Edwards to make a huge impression for Spurs

Tottenham are second in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Chelsea but Kane insists the title race is far from over.

He said: “We are serious title contenders. When you look back over the last few years how we have progressed especially under Mauricio Pochettino – we were third last season and we are there fighting again this time.

“Teams take us seriously now as contenders for the title. Chelsea might be top at the moment but there’s a still long way to go and a lot of games to be played. We can make up the ground on them.

“It was exciting last year what with us chasing a Leicester team nobody really expected to be there. We fought them all the way and that was a great experience for us and one that will do us good this season.”

Kane is a Lucozade Sport ambassador. 100 lucky football fans will get a chance to train with him on Monday February 6, as part of Lucozade Sport’s Made To Move campaign which aims to get one million people moving more by 2020.