With 30 goals in all competitions this term, Harry Kane has enjoyed the kind of breakthrough season that many players could scarcely dream of. However, as the trophies have piled up on the 21-year-old’s mantelpiece, the goals have begun to dry up.

With one goal in the last seven and none in the last three, Kane’s debut season is in danger of fizzling out. But it is through no fault of his own, he has been overused, overworked and is in danger of being burnt out.

Since Mauricio Pochettino finally gave into the clamour to play the England international in late November, he has become an almost ever present in the Spurs’ line-up. From being a young man who had spent his footballing life on the fringes, he is now the man, the only man.

Of course Tottenham have not been helped by his striking partners total inadequacies; both Soldado and Adebayor have been totally incompetent which has led his manager to have to place all the goal scoring burden on his young star.

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For almost all of the current campaign Spurs have been totally indebted to the 21 year old, he has carried the team on his young shoulders and finally it may be starting to show.

Pochettino’s reliance on the striker became even clearer when away at Burnley, he was given the captain’s armband. Instead of the additional duties lifting his performances to even greater heights it seemed to have the opposite effect, burdening their leading scorer, suffocating him.

In recent weeks Harry Kane has looked a shadow of the player who was terrorising defences only weeks previously. Of course it is not just him, his team mates have almost retired to the beach for the last few weeks and maybe his powers are finally running low.

This summer of course could spell even more football for the forward; there are calls for him to be on the plane to Czech Republic in the coming months for the U’21s. Although there is a temptation to argue that he could benefit from experiencing tournament football, there is a greater one to say that he needs rest now more than ever.

He has the potential to carry both his club and nation for years to come; but he is at a pivotal point in his career. Burn the candle at both ends now and risk his proficiency for years to come.

Pochettino and Tottenham have had  little choice but to be solely reliant on their new hero, but for the sake of the national game, England must look for long term success over short term.

This may all prove to be irrelevant, for if Harry Kane has taught us anything this year it is never to write him off. He has overcome every obstacle that has been put in front of his burgeoning career thus far and a short goal drought should be an easy one to over-come.  In fact it would surprise no one should he notch more than once before his well -deserved summer break.

But boy has he earned himself a break.

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