Philippe Coutinho move shows that ‘special’ Harry Kane can’t be forced to stay at Tottenham Hotspur: Mauricio Pochettino

Rivals at home and abroad reportedly interested in striker who has started the year in the same red-hot form that saw him finish as top scorer for 2017

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Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane applauds the fans as he is substituted against AFC Wimbledon at Wembley. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:23pm, 8 Jan 2018Updated: 6:23pm, 8 Jan 2018

Mauricio Pochettino has warned that English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur cannot force Harry Kane to stay at the club, saying Philippe Coutinho’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona shows there can be no room for complacency.

Tottenham’s star striker underlined his value again on Sunday by scoring twice in a 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon as Pochettino’s side eased into the FA Cup fourth round.

But, asked afterwards if Kane might break the mould of players leaving for the world’s biggest teams, Pochettino delivered a note of caution.

Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the English FA Cup third round match against AFC Wimbledon. Photo: AP

“Harry is so special,” said Pochettino. “Because he loves Tottenham and he has always been at Tottenham.

“But we need to be clever how we manage him. The player needs to choose to stay here, you cannot force the player to stay here.

“Our job is to try to work together and try to achieve everything we want at the club and of course Harry is such a special player. I told him only a few special players can spend all their career in one club.”