CHRIS WADDLE warned Manchester United that Tottenham superstar Harry Kane may not fit manager Erik ten Hag’s style.
United continue to be linked with a sensational swoop for Kane, who is entering the final year of his contract in the summer and Ten Hag has prioritised the signing of a striker.
But Spurs legend Waddle has warned the Red Devils that the England captain could struggle to adapt to the Dutch tactician’s pressing on the ball.
However, the 62-year-old insists the star centre-forward could still bring goals, especially if Ten Hag found a way to include him to his tactics.
Waddle told SunSport: “It would be a bit of a strange one; Harry Kane’s a great footballer and his goal record is phenomenal, I think he could fit into most teams.
“But normally I’ve got to say that Ten Hag likes somebody who starts the pressing, that’s why he’s brought in Wout Weghorst. Obviously he’s not Harry Kane but the lad works very hard, he brings players up the field.
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“He likes to go and press and that starts Man Utd’s game plan. I don’t think that’s Harry Kane’s strength, turning and chasing different centre-halves down, he’s a different type of player.
“If you’re going to play a different style of football then obviously Harry Kane, as he does for Tottenham, he wants to come off the centre-halves and link the play, gets into little pockets where he’s hard to pick up.
“So, it would be a strange one I think for Ten Hag given the way he likes to play. It would look strange how Harry Kane would actually fit in with the way he plays. But he’s obviously a goalscorer and Man Utd want somebody.
“I know Marcus Rashford’s doing it at the minute but they need somebody up there whose going to get 20 goals plus every season.”
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Waddle, though, hinted United would be “taking a risk” if they tried to sign Kane in the summer, especially if they expect him to lead them to trophies.
That is because of the 29-year-old’s advanced age and his high asking price.
Waddle added: “It’s a hard one. Listen it’s going to cost a lot of money to get him out of his contract, whether these clubs are willing to pay.
“I think he’s 29 now, so it’ll be his last big contract for a four or five-year deal I’d think. It’s a big decision for any club to say we want Harry Kane. I understand why a lot of big clubs are linked with him, because as I said he’s a very good player.
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“You’re taking a risk on him aren’t you, so it’s basically shelling out money to win honours. Now if you’re winning trophies then it’s been worthwhile, but if you don’t win trophies then a lot of people will say it wasn’t money well spent.
“Everybody is a gamble at modern day prices, but the one thing with Harry Kane is that he is proven, and I’m sure Man Utd would be buying a player who could easily fit into Man Utd.”
Kane would command a high fee, but no one has cost more than Premier League record signing Enzo Fernandez who joined Chelsea from Benfica for £107million in January.
Waddle was impressed with Fernandez’s performances at the 2022 World Cup, where he helped Argentina win the title and was awarded as they competition’s best young player.
But the former England international believes the 22-year-old’s fee should have been splashed for someone closer to the calibre of a proven star like Lionel Messi.
Waddle said: “Well it was a lot of money, I watched him in the World Cup but, obviously Messi was a star for them. You look at their team and he’s not somebody who catches the eye.
“He’s a player who works hard, he’s a very good passer of the ball, he keeps the ball very well. He’s got a few different attributes than Jorginho had or Mateo Kovacic. I wouldn’t say he was streets ahead of them, so time will tell.
“Chelsea will be good, because the players that they have signed are good players, but it’s going to take time which is why I’m waiting for them to kick in.
“Would I say they’ve spent too much money on him? I’d probably say that about a lot of players. For me, he’s got to score goals, he’s got to make goals, he’s got to be an unbelievable player all over the park.
“He’s not a dribbler, he’s not an exciting player, which then people might think if he’s playing at an average level then people will say why have you paid that much money?
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“For me paying £110-115m, you need someone like Lionel Messi for that money, and he’s definitely not Lionel Messi.”
Chris Waddle was speaking to The Sun on behalf of BETDAQ
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
