Harry Kane was HUNGRY to score when he broke-through at Spurs admits former star Sebastien Bassong

Two former defenders who played with Harry Kane recall his early years. Sebastien Bassong was in the Tottenham side when a young Kane was rising through the ranks.

He was hungry for goals. Obsessed. Kind of selfish. He wanted them so much, all the time. He was shooting from all over. At times it irritated the older guys when he trained with us and didn’t pass.

That’s what made me laugh about him. Jermain Defoe spoke to him a few times — he was getting irritated because he didn’t get the ball.

He reminded me of Gareth Bale when he came through, an introvert — but not in a bad way. Well raised, not speaking too loud, willing to learn. It shocked me. This kid really listens.

He was really dangerous around the box. His right foot was like a shotgun. Boom. I thought, ‘This kid can strike the ball.’ But at the time, he couldn’t master his own power yet.

 Harry Kane scored his 267th goal for Tottenham in a recent 1-0 win over Manchester City

Former Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong recalls his time watching Kane breakthrough as a young talent at the club

He was just young. He needed to learn — the ball was flying everywhere and he was rushing things. Like a young puppy, running around, too crazy. But it was just a matter of time before he got the confidence and accuracy he has now.

When I faced him he was back at Tottenham after a few loan spells and I was playing for Norwich — the big difference was the composure he had gained. He was turning into a complete striker.

You could see the confidence Mauricio Pochettino gave him. Tim Sherwood first, then when he and Mauricio developed a relationship, things turned.

He was banging in goals week in, week out and had confidence. The way he was playing and carrying himself changed.

He got bigger, his stature got larger, he was more of a focal point and became a leader. I could hear him on the pitch — people were following him and he was setting an example.

Now, he rarely misses the target. Right foot, left foot, header, they are all on point.

Look at the goal he scored at Fulham recently — world class. He became a superstar. A world-class player and he can still reach even greater heights.

Before breaking through at Spurs, Kane went on a number of loan spells starting at Leyton Orient aged 17. Former O’s player Ben Chorley was at the club at the time.

Kane’s relationship with former manager Mauricio Pochettino saw him break onto the scene for Spurs

Kane (centre) celebrates becoming Tottenham’s all-time greatest goalscorer against Man City

Kane has become England captain and one of the world’s best strikers during his time at Spurs

Harry joined with Tom Carroll and Paul-Jose M’Poku — and Harry was probably the furthest behind. He was big, naive, very good with his feet but had lots of work to do. What stood out was his deep-lying confidence. In training, he would do things an older pro would. If there was a free-kick, he’d want it.

Every day he wanted to be a better player, to practise finishing, free-kicks, shooting. Constantly. You had to drag him off the training pitch. I had a lot of admiration for that.

He’d ask, ‘Ben, can we do some stuff when I’m backing into you? Can we set up the mannequins? Can I practise headers from goal kicks?’ He’d stand in front of me, we’d be elbowing each other. He wouldn’t give up — you couldn’t bully him.

He wasn’t the hardest opponent but he had certain tools and he knew how to use them. He would back in, had a very good first touch so could get the ball out of his feet and get a shot off.

You would get the better of him in the air and physically but at no time did he shy away.

I’d never have predicted what he has become. I’ve spoken to him about this. I didn’t see him slimming down and becoming an athlete, physically what he is now — slim, slender, big legs, small top half. 

He scored away at Huddersfield once and there is a picture of him — he’s a big lump. He didn’t have the cheekbones, slim shoulders, puppy fat around the face. 

He must have worked hard in the gym and on his dynamism and quick feet — he’s gained a yard of pace and has a running style I didn’t see in him.

Ben Chorley oversaw Kane’s development during his early career loan spell at Leyton Orient and was often involved in extra training session with the star

Bassong (left) admitted he never predicted what Kane (right) would go on to achieve at Tottenham

By coming to a League One team going for promotion, he showed why he is a leader and has developed into a captain.

We had a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals and Barry Hearn arranged an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas and he came. He played golf every day. He was a bit boring but then what can a 17-year-old do in Vegas?