surpised that jese from madrid isn't mwntioned here. From what little he's played, he's been always looked a scoring threat each time. he not a young one or am i overestimating? guy even runs like ronaldo.

everyone agree the hurricane is just short term anomaly in the scum shitlist of players?

I think Kane is pretty good, considering he's only 21.

Kane's been playing like a fantasy English striker this season. Very complete and very impressive player barring the occasional anonymous day.

He supposedly votes UKIP as well as being a Spud, but I reckon even Biggus could get used to it if we stole him.

Always feel like I need to see a second season from players like Kane. He's all about the end product at the moment (hence the odd anonymous display), so he needs to maintain the goals. He wouldn't be the first player to dip after a flying start.

otfgoon wrote:

He's all about the end product at the moment

Definitely not. His all round play has been excellent even in games where he is not scoring.

Someone with his work rate will always add massively to any team going forward. Not to mention he is superb as a focal point because he can hold up play very well.

The rest of his game is decent but lets be honest if he'd been half as deadly in front of goal or scored just half of the 24 goals he's scored this season, no one would really be talking about him as anything more than a decent young player. This is in contrast to a young Aguero who despite scoring just 7 goals in his first season for Atletico looked something special.

His deadliness in front of goal is what makes Kane stand out so he needs to maintain that.

Burnwinter™ wrote:

He supposedly votes UKIP as well as being a Spud...

Wouldn't be surprised if our Jack did the same, tbh. They're all a bunch of tools.

All look the same to you eh Coombs?

He's under contract to Tottenham until July 2020 apparently. If he holds to that he can kiss his career and his dreams goodbye.

I think Kane is going to have a pretty mediocre second season. I just don't see what the fuss is about. He gets a ton of space because opponents still haven't learned how to close him down properly. I don't see any outstanding ability, though. I just see a player who's making the absolute most of what he's got. It usually doesn't end well for them when they peak this early.

None of those strikers will be anywhere near world class.

I predict that Akpom will surprise many of you in two years' time.

I noticed you stopped short of proclaiming he'd become world class though, mate.

Akpom has a very, very good all round game that will get better and better. He's lightning quick, very athletic, a skilful dribbler that can carry it at speed, technically sound in his touch and passing, and he can really sense where to move to get into goalscoring positions BUT he can't finish for toffee. He hasn't scored a single good goal in his whole time playing for the the U21's, he can't strike a ball with any power and accuracy; his technical ability in this respect is sorely lacking. Partly because he can't hit a ball without the need for a lot of back lift but also because his first touch in and around the box to set himself up just isn't good enough.

He needs to work like a dog to improve what is without doubt the most crucial part of his game if he wants to have a chance of making it here. Signs are he's got a very good attitude and will at least give himself a chance by putting the work in. He was talking the other day about becoming an Arsenal great and being better than his hero Thierry Henry! Which is a very ballsy thing to say.

He could do big things, it'll be very interesting to see how he develops in the next few years. We haven't had a young striker come through in a long, long time.

Ricky1985 wrote:

BUT he can't finish for toffee. He hasn't scored a single good goal in his whole time playing for the the U21's, he can't strike a ball with any power and accuracy; his technical ability in this respect is sorely lacking. Partly because he can't hit a ball without the need for a lot of back lift but also because his first touch in and around the box to set himself up just isn't good enough.

I've only seen Akpom a few times, but this has stood out to me too. It's what makes me think he doesn't have much of a future here.

Saying he wants to be better than Henry is one thing; I'm sure Bendtner said the same thing a few times. But growing up as a striker through the entire system without ever figuring out how to properly finish just isn't promising to me.

Vietto is easily the best player on that list, but he's such a little shrimp. Perfect 4-4-2 player but for us for example I'm not sure where he'd fit in.

Finishing is a simple skill to learn.

Speaking of Thierry and learning to finish, the great man himself was a pretty shitty finisher at Akpom's age. Besides, you don't score as many goals at youth level as Akpom has if you can't finish. There's plenty to work on for him and Wenger but from what I have seen, he's got all the raw tools to become a quality striker.

On topic it is typically extremely difficult to predict who will become world class. Rooney, Aguero and Messi were always obviously going to turn out top class but what about guys like Drogba, Diego Costa or Luis Suarez? Some just have a development burst later than others.

On the contrary, you can score a lot of goals at youth level, if you can't finish, but have the physical advantage.

It doesn't matter too much what players do at youth level though. Fortunately enough, Akpom looks like he just might have what it takes to turn his success at youth level into a good career at the top.

Can't see Akpom making it, not here anyway.

Akpoms as big a talent as Bellerin.