Harry Kane Rightly Rewarded with England Cap but Must Retain Focus for Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been rewarded with a full England call-up by Roy Hodgson. 

His selection is fully based on the merits of his breakout season at Spurs where he has emerged as the talismanic striker they've craved since the departure of Dimitar Berbatov. 

Kane has scored every kind of goal in a season that, on a personal level, has approached perfection. 

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Congratulations to @hkane28 on his first England call up. The first of many.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 19, 2015"

Praise from the highest places in football has been well earned.

Big goals in big games have swayed Hodgson into selecting Kane alongside a trio of far more experienced forwards. 

It is impossible to argue now that Kane is merely a flash in the pan. He has had a brilliant season, following on from an excellent start last year under Tim Sherwood. While Sherwood has now claimed total responsibility for Kane's stardom, there is some truth to the fact that the former Tottenham boss gave him Premier League minutes. 

Playing regularly in England's top division has provided focus on Kane and given him an opportunity to showcase his talents, the future England striker has long been "one to watch" around White Hart Lane. 

His development will be well served by his first England camp but league football is key to his career. 

The key issue for Kane is to avoid losing focus on his day job. Kane has blossomed as Spurs' main man but international duty can be a distraction even for seasoned veterans. It is crucial that Kane avoid that pitfall. 

Hodgson has fired the first shots in the inevitable battle between club and country, suggesting that Kane would be better served playing for England at the Under-21 European Championship than serving his day-to-day employees on a post-season trip to Sydney. 

Kane cannot become a pawn in the predictable clash between Hodgson and leading English clubs. It is a fight that is played out endlessly and can only damage his progress on both fronts. 

Mauricio Pochettino already plans to speak with Hodgson to avoid this disagreement becoming a running sore. 

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Kane is right to be excited about his first appearance for England but Tottenham's season is not yet over. Their battle for the top four does look to be one they are unlikely to win but Kane is essential to any lingering hopes. 

Ultimately, the two England games that Kane will be eligible for are meaningless. Friendly internationals are broadly a blight on the game. With nothing at stake, the quality is lacking and players are often just going through the motions. 

There is little Kane can do in these matches. Even if he performs brilliantly, they aren't competitive minutes and so serve little purpose. 

Were Kane to get injured on this, his first international trip, it would be terrible for Spurs and the relationship between them and England. 

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Tottenham need Kane this season and he still needs them. The situation at Spurs is set up for him to succeed. The same is not true of England where he will not be the star man. 

Harry Kane is the most important outfield player at Tottenham right now. Any absence will be sharply felt but could also curtail the progress that has garnered him international attention. 

Hodgson may not want Kane to travel to Sydney but he is already one of the faces of the advertising campaign there. Radio commercials name Kane as one of Spurs' stars. 

Tottenham simply cannot live without Kane. He is too important. His England bow is a great compliment for him and will surely be a proud moment but it must not distract him from his club. Kane's potential is unknown, few commentators have been able to explain exactly what it is that sets him apart.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Kane's progress remains delicate. Ultimately, it will best serve both England and Tottenham if his entrance into the international arena does not take his focus too far from White Hart Lane.