Why Harry Kane Will Be Tottenham's Player to Watch in 2016

The width of the post was the difference between 2016 beginning as spectacularly for Harry Kane as his 2015 did. The striker's ninth-minute long-range shot beat Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard but rebounded off the woodwork and away from goal.

Tottenham Hotspur's calendar-opening fixture against the Toffees would not so much replicate last year's brilliant 5-3 thrashing of Chelsea as it did a more recent London derby. Like in November's 1-1 draw at Arsenal, impressively well-earned periods of dominance could not be turned into the desired—some would argue deserved—winning result (see head coach Mauricio Pochettino's reaction below).

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Mauricio: "...the players don’t want to play music as normal because they're disappointed we drew a game we should've won." #COYS

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 3, 2016"

Kane's progression from talented Tottenham youngster to a potential England star was well under way by last January. Tracking him during this period was largely about noting his extraordinary individual development. What marks the 22-year-old as Spurs' player to watch over 2016 is his even greater status as a barometer for the team's progression and possible success.

Kane's myriad accolades and starring performances acted as a timely masking tool for the growing pains of Pochettino's Tottenham in the earlier part of last year.

He was not alone in contributing to notable victories like the aforementioned defeat of Chelsea. Yet in less cohesive team efforts, he was a hard-grafting, determined saving grace (think how he denied West Ham United capital bragging rights in February or his hat-trick holding off Leicester City in a 4-3 win a month later).

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Those qualities, and the lethal strength, movement and finishing that characterise them, have not dimmed heading into '16. Even in the lengthy goal drought that began the current campaign, Kane battled and created for others, ensuring he remained indispensable even as his scoring touch deserted him (though the lack of experienced positional competition in the squad also helped here).

Kane finding his shooting boots again following his hat-trick in October's 5-1 win over Bournemouth halted anyone attempting to label him a flash in the pan, reinforcing his credentials as one of the Premier League's best front men in the process. He stands at 13 goals and three assists in all competitions this season, as confirmed via ESPN FC.

Pochettino's team qualifying for the Champions League (and maybe achieving more) will almost certainly be reliant on Kane maintaining this form. His club displays will also inform if and how he is used by England at this summer's European Championships.

Continuing to enjoy Kane's individual offerings are naturally a major part of why he remains Spurs' box-office attraction. Yet, it will be seeing how his presence reflects and influences the work of Spurs' evolving attack that makes him an even more intriguing watch than last year.

Jon Super/Associated Press/Associated Press

The earlier-mentioned Everton chance was one more likely to be found in his 2014-15 playbook. Little in the way of options around and the space in front not conducive to a solo charge, the choice displayed his considerable courage and striking prowess (and had shades of his goal in the Chelsea comparison cited at the top of the page).

The rest of the game provided a more recognisable take on Kane's involvement of late. Both positively and negatively.

Last season, he was by some distance Spurs' most dangerous attacker (Nacer Chadli and Christian Eriksen were solid if inconsistent additional contributors). So far this time around his team-mates are offering more evidence they can operate proficiently without his direct involvement, as well as take the lead in linking up with him.

The most notable example of both on Sunday was Dele Alli. The midfielder fired in Spurs' equaliser after superbly controlling Toby Alderweireld's long pass forward. Later on, his combinations with Kane were among the north Londoners' best chances to take the lead.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

In recent wins, others such as Tom Carroll, Erik Lamela, Heung-min Son and Kieran Trippier have shaped and impacted Spurs' play in various ways, too (the latter pair notably combining for the team's winner at Watford).

But with Kane the natural focal point of Spurs' attack, more of their possession needs to reach him than it did at Goodison Park.

Tottenham's ultimate failure to break Everton down was multi-layered. The Toffees constricted and closed them down well upon entering the final third, making more intricate moves difficult. Spurs' success breaching this barrier mostly came when more direct or sudden moves caught them unawares (see the goal and Alli/Kane link-ups).

Spurs did not relent, making Everton work hard to keep them out. Like against Arsenal, however, the exertion left the visitors tired in the final 20 minutes. Their imagination and the intelligence and quality of execution correspondingly diminishing, leaving them exposed to counter-attacks as they ran out of ideas.

Altogether it left Kane a passenger by the end. There will be more days like this to come, too.

Pochettino will be endeavouring to find pre-emptive measures that stop his teams being ushered down more predictable routes. Trying to make sure such strong defensive showings as his side's on Sunday are capitalised on with wins.

How this incorporates the growing prominence of Alli, multiple attacking midfield options and the general balance and positioning of the side will be fascinating to see (the 5-3-2 against Watford being the most visible strategical tweak this season).

But as Tottenham's chief goal-getter and a player who at his best can dominate opposing defences, these efforts will be best evaluated by how they involve and serve Kane.

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