‘It’s madness’: Paul Merson cannot believe what Tottenham keep doing under Antonio Conte

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Paul Merson has paid tribute to Tottenham talisman Harry Kane and lamented that Antonio Conte cannot get him into games even more.

Merson wrote in his Daily Star column that Spurs are not worse off this season because the England captain has been so good.

But he said he is baffled by Conte’s cautious formation which still does not seem to be able to prevent Spurs regularly conceding goals.

Before Wednesday’s 4-0 win at Crystal Palace, Tottenham had conceded first in each of their ten previous matches.

Merson wants Kane to have more touches

Merson said of Kane: “He is a machine. Tottenham are only where they are because of Harry Kane, it really is that simple. He is the difference. If Crystal Palace had Kane in the first half against Spurs, we are now talking about a major crisis. They would have been blown away after also losing to Aston Villa.

“They only won 4-0 because they had Kane playing for them and he set the ball rolling with two clinical finishes. I loved Antonio Conte at Chelsea, he is a born winner but what I don’t get is that Tottenham play three at the back and two holding midfielders, yet still concede two goals most games.

“Tottenham’s best three players are their forwards yet there are still games where Kane does not touch the ball. Against Aston Villa it was 20 minutes until he took his first touch. He’s their best player – get the ball upfront. Meanwhile, Spurs’ defenders are taking 75 touches while Kane is having none. It’s madness.”

Kane took Wednesday’s game away from Palace and got Spurs’ season back on track after a bumpy period after the World Cup.

His future remains unresolved with a new contract not signed, and he is a huge player for Tottenham whose form has perhaps gone unnoticed this season given how well Erling Haaland is doing.

Next up in the Premier League is the north London derby, but first Spurs look to kickstart their FA Cup campaign at home to Portsmouth.

Kane may fancy a rest in that game but Spurs’ lack of alternative options means he may well play against the League 1 outfit.