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Tottenham finally gave their fans something to smile about by coming back to snatch a pre-season draw with Chelsea while they continue to wait for Harry Kane to return to the club.
However, while their against-the-odds fightback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with a vastly superior Chelsea side may have shown impressive resilience, it also highlighted what a limited team they are without their talisman.
There was little that was “friendly” about this high intensity clash which formed part of the Mind Series of games in the capital this summer.
And in the continued absence of Kane, there needed to be more than an element of luck about both the Tottenham goals.
For their opener in the 56th minute, the ball reached Lucas Moura after two deflections and looped into the goal after yet another one off Antonio Rudiger’s leg.
Then Steven Berwijn’s 70th minute effort went through Edouard Mendy’s legs from a tight angle.
Chelsea, on the other hand, seemed to bristle with goals – although a £100million bid for Romelu Lukaku might buy them some better finishing.
Hakim Ziyech took both of his goals well enough to give them a 2-0 lead shortly after the break.
But a narrow offside decision denied Timo Werner from a confidence-boosting goal of his own, and the under-pressure German fluffed a legitimate chance after the break with a poor shot wide – a miss that was to cost Chelsea dear.
Nuno Espirito Santo post-match said he is refusing to get drawn into a war of words with Kane on his first public outing since the England captain went AWOL.
The 28-year-old remains in isolation and missed Tottenham’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
Unsurprisingly, though, he was the main topic of conversation afterwards – although Nuno insisted any conversations would remain “internal”.
“I will not speak with you about that,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
“It is not that I don’t want to comment on what I believe is all the issues related to Harry, but I believe we should discuss that internally among ourselves and try to avoid any kind of public argument.
“Us, we have to focus on what is important. We have to solve the situation but first between us.
“We solve the situation internally with the club. Speaking and trying to reach a better solution and conclusion to this situation.
However, Nuno had to admit that the process as far as he and Kane were concerned had not even started.
“The answer I will give you is I expect to speak with Harry soon and I haven’t had the chance yet,” he said.
Harry Kane latest
Kane stopped off in Florida on his way home from the Bahamas but has still told Tottenham he will be back in training at the weekend following Covid isolation.
Sources claim the club are aware he diverted his journey home from a family holiday even though there is nothing to be gained in terms Covid with both countries on the UK’s amber list.
Tottenham are refusing to comment but are already furious that the England captain did not return from his break in the Caribbean on time to report for pre-season medical tests at the club’s training ground on Monday – as other overseas-based players have done.
However, after his second no-show on Tuesday, it emerged the 28-year-old has no choice but to remain AWOL at least until Sunday or possibly even next week because of Covid restrictions – just days before the start of the season.
Tottenham are expected to fine Kane a six-figure sum for what appears to be a deliberate act designed to ‘vent his frustration’ at the club refusing to sell him to Manchester City.
Kane could still follow his current actions with a transfer request as he remains adamant he has a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Daniel Levy despite still having three years of his contract to run.
He feels his delayed return is being blown up “out of proportion” as fans lined up to criticise him on social media for failing to fulfil his duties.
And while Kane remains silent, if the isolation reports are correct and Kane cannot report for work, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
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