With two players recently joining us from FC Bayern and Heung-Min Son heading off for a new adventure in America, it was a timely moment to catch up with another modern-day club legend in Harry Kane during our trip to Munich.
Our all-time record goalscorer, Academy graduate Harry netted 280 times in 435 appearances for us prior to his departure for Bayern in 2023, but on Thursday found himself in the unfamiliar position of scoring against us as the Bundesliga champions ran out 4-0 winners in our final pre-season friendly of the summer at the Allianz Arena.
Speaking exclusively to us after the game, Harry paid tribute to our outgoing captain – with whom he famously struck up one of the best attacking partnerships of the Premier League era during his time in Lilywhite – and told us what we can expect from Joao Palhinha and Mathys Tel, two of his recent team-mates in Munich.
“Huge congratulations to Sonny on his time at Spurs,” he said. “He will go down as a Tottenham legend and there was no better way to finish than by winning that trophy last season.
“I was so pleased for him and a lot of the other guys that I know so well, so good luck to him.
“I texted him earlier this morning and he said we need to catch up soon. Of course, I miss him as a player and as a person as well, but hopefully he does well out in America.”
On defensive midfielder Joao, who was part of Bayern’s title-winning side with Harry last season and who completed a loan move to N17 at the weekend, the England captain explained: “He’s tough, he tackles hard, he’s good on the ball, he knows the Premier League well from his time at Fulham and he’s a guy that will give everything for you.
“I know he’s going to a good place and he’ll hopefully get some more game time and show what he can do.”
As for Mathys, who was a team-mate of Harry’s during his first 18 months in Germany, the front man added: “He’s got great potential. Whether he’s playing as a left winger or a striker, he gets into dangerous areas, he can finish the ball well and he’s good one-v-one.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him – he’s going to the Premier League, he’s still extremely young although he has a lot of experience here, he still has to develop and improve, he knows that and he works hard to do that, so I just want him to go and enjoy himself, have confidence and hopefully he can shine in the Premier League.”
Finally, a word on Harry himself and his new life out in Germany.
“Life is good,” he smiled. “It’s been a great experience so far, I’m enjoying my time here, the family are enjoying it so yes, I’m looking forward to the season ahead.
“Obviously this is a journey that started at Tottenham from when I was 11 and took me to where I am now – I’m appreciative of everyone who has been involved in that journey and I’m thankful to the Tottenham fans as well, they’ve been a big part of it.”
Watch | Mathys Tel on what he learned at FC Bayern