Harry Kane says striker Tottenham signed for £9m is the best finisher he’s ever seen

Few players in football history possess the credentials to define what makes the perfect striker, but Harry Kane undoubtedly qualifies. As England’s all-time leading scorer, Tottenham’s record goalscorer, and now a Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich, Kane’s opinion carries significant weight.

In a fascinating exercise with Goal, the legendary forward recently constructed his vision of the ultimate striker by combining the finest attributes from players he’s encountered throughout his illustrious career.

While many expected him to select global superstars like Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland for certain categories, Kane instead turned to his Tottenham roots when identifying the best pure finisher he’s ever seen—Jermain Defoe.

Defoe, who joined Spurs for just £9 million in 2008, became a fan favorite at White Hart Lane thanks to his lethal instincts in front of goal. Despite not matching Kane’s overall statistical output, Defoe’s razor-sharp finishing left an indelible mark on his younger teammate.

Kane, who shared the pitch with elite forwards such as Luis Suárez, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema, didn’t hesitate when asked to name the most clinical finisher of them all. “Jermain Defoe,” he declared, highlighting the former England international’s ability to convert chances with ruthless efficiency.

The numbers tell part of the story—Defoe scored 162 goals in 496 appearances for Tottenham, a remarkable return for a player often operating as a second striker or impact substitute. But beyond statistics, it was Defoe’s technique, composure, and ability to strike the ball cleanly with either foot that set him apart.

Kane, who has since surpassed Defoe’s legacy at Spurs with 213 Premier League goals, clearly absorbed elements of his former teammate’s game, refining his own finishing to world-class levels.

When constructing his ideal striker, Kane didn’t limit himself to just finishing. He selected Mbappé for blistering pace, Peter Crouch for aerial dominance, and Wayne Rooney for link-up play—a nod to his former England captain’s intelligence and creativity.

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Edinson Cavani earned praise for his movement, Cristiano Ronaldo for long-range shooting, and Didier Drogba for sheer physical strength.

Yet it was Defoe’s inclusion that stood out, a testament to the lasting impression he made on Kane during their time together in North London.

While some might argue that Defoe’s inclusion over modern greats like Lewandowski or Haaland reflects Kane’s Tottenham bias, there’s no denying the former Spurs man’s credentials as a finisher.

Defoe’s ability to score from tight angles, his quick release, and his knack for being in the right place at the right time made him a nightmare for defenders. Even in the latter stages of his career, he continued to find the net consistently, proving that natural finishing ability doesn’t diminish with age.

Kane’s selections also reveal his appreciation for the different facets of striking. Crouch, another former Spurs teammate, may not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing the greatest headers of the ball, but his height and technique made him uniquely effective.

Similarly, Kane’s choice of Jamal Musiala for tricks and flicks speaks to his admiration for the Bayern Munich youngster’s flair, despite Musiala being more of an attacking midfielder than an out-and-out striker.

Perhaps most telling, however, was Kane’s decision to pick himself for best celebration—a lighthearted moment that underscores his self-awareness and confidence.

After all, few players have perfected the muted, arms-outstretched goal celebration quite like Kane, a signature move that has become iconic in its own right.

Ultimately, Kane’s perfect striker is a composite of the many influences that have shaped his career. From Defoe’s finishing to Rooney’s intelligence, Drogba’s strength to Mbappé’s speed, each attribute represents a lesson absorbed and, in many cases, incorporated into his own game.

While the modern era of football obsesses over all-around forwards who can do everything at an elite level, Kane’s picks remind us that specialization still matters.

A striker who can finish like Defoe, move like Cavani, and strike from distance like Ronaldo would be unstoppable—a blueprint Kane himself has followed to remarkable success.

As Kane continues to add to his own legacy in Germany, his admiration for Defoe serves as a reminder of Tottenham’s role in his development.

The £9 million signing may not have been the most complete striker of his generation, but in the eyes of one of the greatest goalscorers the game has ever seen, Jermain Defoe remains the gold standard when it comes to putting the ball in the net.