Les Ferdinand: Tottenham star Harry Kane will relish pressure of beating all-time Premier League goal record

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Sam Long31 January 2017

The pressure of trying to beat Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goal record will be "water off a duck's back" for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, according to Les Ferdinand.

Kane has firmly established himself at White Hart Lane in recent years and currently has 62 top-flight goals to his name, having won the Golden Boot for the first time in his career last season.

The 23-year-old could play at the top level for another decade, leading to suggestions he will challenge for the title of the modern era's greatest goalscorer.

Shearer found the net on 260 occasions during an illustrious career and boasts a 65-goal lead on Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, who occupies second place in the pecking order.

Kane is 198 goals adrift of Shearer's tally but Ferdinand, who operated alongside the Newcastle legend during a two-year stint at St. James' Park, is adamant the Spurs forward will not shy away from the task of competing for the individual accolade.

Ferdinand told Standard Sport: "Knowing Harry it wouldn't be unwanted pressure because it will be water off a duck's back.

"He'll take it all in his stride and it gives him something to aim for.

"You need to have a bit of fortune and luck - although Alan [Shearer] did have a few injuries and missed quite a bit of time and still managed to score that amount of goals.

"He [Kane] takes penalties and he takes free kicks so he's got every chance of being up there come the end of his career - if he stays fit and healthy," said Ferdinand, who also coached Kane during the early stages of his senior career at Spurs.

Kane has scored 13 goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season, despite missing a significant chunk of the campaign due to ankle ligament damage.

The England international's form has been central to Tottenham's rise up the table and Ferdinand has been impressed with Mauricio Pochettino's side, who are nine points off top spot ahead of tonight's trip to Sunderland.

Ferdinand said: "If you look at recent performances you'd have to say they've probably been the most impressive side in the league in terms of the way they're playing and the style they're playing in.

"The last game against Manchester City was probably the worst game they've played for a little while.

"Up until then I think everyone was getting really excited about the way Spurs were performing," he added.

Kane missed the weekend's FA Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers due to a minor groin problem but has been passed fit to feature against the Black Cats.

Les Ferdinand, who lost his grandfather to prostate cancer, will be taking part in Prostate Cancer UK’s Football to Amsterdam bike ride and will be cycling from London to Amsterdam for the charity from 9-11 June this year.

For information about taking part in the 2017 ride go toprostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam or contact the cycling team by calling 020 3310 7034 or emailing cycling@prostatecanceruk.org.

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