PATRICK VIEIRA rates Harry Kane as one of Europe’s best — but he is no Thierry Henry.
Kane will travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday, fresh off scoring his 41st England goal with a stunner against Poland.
Eagles boss Vieira won the World Cup, the Euros and three Prem titles alongside Arsenal legend Henry.
The France striker, now 44, scored a whopping 366 club goals — including 228 for the Gunners — as well as 51 for his country.
He also lifted the Champions League with Barcelona and two Spanish titles in one of the greatest careers of the modern era.
Kane has infamously never won a trophy but has netted 223 times in just 339 Spurs appearances, making him one of the most prolific forwards in the world.
Palace chief Vieira said: “Thierry Henry is on a different level.
“I love Kane, a fantastic player, but Thierry is still Thierry.
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“He could do everything. He had the pace, the power, he could run in behind, he could get the ball at his feet and dribble past three or four players and score.
“Maybe it’s because I played with Thierry, I see him in a different way.
“So it’s easier for me to talk about Thierry than to talk about Kane.
“But I see Thierry as in the top three of all time.”
Kane, 28, is yet to open his Premier League account for the season — after a turbulent summer for the Three Lions captain.
His hopes of a big-money move to Manchester City were dashed when Daniel Levy refused to budge.
Palace fans will now be hoping Kane is still struggling to find top gear at Selhurst Park — however his 30-yard wonder goal in Warsaw on Wednesday would suggest otherwise.
Vieira added: “If he decided to stay at Spurs, it was because that was the best decision, or because the situation meant they didn’t allow him to go somewhere else.
“I believe he is part of the three best strikers in Europe. I saw the game England played against Poland and he’s a terrific player, there’s no doubt about it.”
Vieira, who can expect some stick from the visiting fans for his Arsenal connections, has high hopes for one of his own strikers this afternoon.
Odsonne Edouard, 23, joined on deadline day from Celtic in a deal that could rise to £17.5million.
The France Under-21 star plundered 88 goals for the Bhoys, at almost one every other game.
And Vieira is sure his countryman Edouard can be a Premier League hit and even become a senior France international — if he shows the right mindset.
The ex-Nice and New York boss added: “The potential is there and it’s all about how much he wants it.
“He has to work hard. He has to give himself the best chance to go to that level, to the national team.
“I expect as well more commitment and desire from himself to show that he wants to improve, he wants to be part of those top players who are doing well in the Premier League.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for him — but we will give him all the support he needs.”
C PALACE (likely): Guaita, Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell, Kouyate, McArthur, Gallagher, Ayew, Edouard, Zaha.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
