The goals just don’t stop for him.
As time moves forward, comparisons between different generations are bound to arise in various forms. This is true in football just as in life, and a debate involving two supremely talented English strikers has come into full-focus following the Premier League’s Boxing Day fixtures.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane surpassed Alan Shearer’s incredible goalscoring record from 1995 with a hat-trick against Southampton yesterday, netting 39 league goals in 36 matches all within one calendar year. Shearer scored 36 times in 42 games for Blackburn Rovers when he set the mark.
It represents an impressive achievement for the 24-year-old forward, who is in unstoppable form at the moment.
Kane also managed to jump ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the title of top scorer across all competitions as well.
With one of his records already down, many are beginning to wonder if he will eventually eclipse Shearer’s Premier League total of 260 goals.
Harry Kane gets a hat trick in his final game of 2017 to jump past Messi for the top spot! 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/GtLVHmwUAX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 26, 2017
Kane is off to a magnificent start in that regard, already scoring at an incredible rate for such a young player.
Shearer’s amazing career in the English top flight did have some early obstacles, specifically fitness issues when he first arrived at Blackburn.
You’ve had a magnificent 2017 @HKane. You deserve to hold the record of most @premierleague goals in a calendar year. Well done and keep up the good work. 👏🏻🙋🏼♂️
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 26, 2017
Ultimately, that may be the only worry for Kane. Unless of course he departs England.
Should I stay or should I go?
Injuries are always a concern for any striker when it comes to their numbers, and that is a potential influence on Kane’s pursuit of Shearer’s record. The Spurs striker has already dealt with these types of setbacks in North London previously.
But the greatest threat to this objective would actually come from a different country and league, as Kane has been tipped for a transfer to Real Madrid in the near future.
The Spanish giants would represent an incredible chapter for his legacy, but would forever change the dynamics of what is happening around him.
Next: Alan Shearer's top five goals for Newcastle United
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer scored more Premier League goals than any other player. However, with his excellent instincts and abilities on the pitch, Harry Kane just might have what it takes to catch him.