One of the strangest statistics in recent Premier League history is that Tottenham striker Harry Kane has never scored in the month of August. The 24-year-old is one of the most prolific strikers in world football.
In fact, the England international has won the Premier League Golden Boot for the past two seasons. He is quite simply a goal machine. Yet, the striker has a habit of starting the campaign in a very slow manner, hence the lack of a goal in August.
On Sunday, Kane will get another chance to put that hoodoo to bed, as Tottenham welcome under pressure champions Chelsea to Wembley.
Maybe playing on his mind
Footballers are a superstitious lot in general. Many have their own little pre-match routines and little foibles. Although it may seem just a case of coincidence that Kane has not scored in August, the stat may just be playing on the striker’s mind.
Kane seems like a guy who is confident in his own ability. He never really seems flustered and is always comes across as sensible in interviews. However, sometimes these little strange facts can play in the back of players’ minds.
In Tottenham’s opening league game of the campaign, a 2-0 win over Newcastle, Kane had a very good chance to open his account for the campaign. However, uncharacteristically the striker missed the target. Maybe it was the August curse after all!
Chelsea have problems
Premier League champions Chelsea have not enjoyed the best start to the campaign. Antonio Conte’s side heads into the London derby without Gary Cahill, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard. The former pair are suspended, while Hazard is injured.
Cahill’s injury could well be the key to Kane breaking that hoodoo. The Blues were solid in defence for much of last season. However, Cahill’s dismissal against Burnley after just 14 minutes saw the champions defeated 3-2 on home soil.
England centre-back Cahill has been a leader at the back for Chelsea in recent seasons. Without him, the Blues could be vulnerable in the next few games. A trip to London rivals Tottenham is probably not what Chelsea needs at the moment.
The likes of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli will fancy their chances against a depleted Blues midfield, without Fabregas and probably without new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko. The same goes for Kane up against the likes of David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and probably Antonio Rudiger.
Chelsea suffered a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last season, despite winning the title. However, that was at White Hart Lane, rather than at Wembley, Spurs’ temporary home for this season.
Tottenham have to adapt to their new home to have any chance of success this season. If they do not then the north London outfit will struggle to challenge for the title.
Surely Kane has to end August hoodoo?
Harry Kane is no doubt looking forward to another opportunity to break his August duck on Sunday. At odds of 10/11 to score at any time against the Blues, I certainly will not be backing against the striker to find the net.
It would take a brave man to back against Kane ending this silly August goal drought, especially as Burnley visit Wembley next weekend. The Clarets may have won at Chelsea on the opening day, but on their travels, they were awful last season.
However, Kane will be looking to score on Sunday, rather than having to wait until next weekend to score in August. The game is a big one and the striker will want to help his team record a big win over a rival, with or without scoring a goal.
