Troy Deeney claims Harry Kane is NOT regarded as ‘world class’ because he’s English

Troy Deeney believes Harry Kane is not considered as ‘world class’ because he is English.

The Watford skipper heaped praise on his compatriot, before going on to describe the Tottenham talisman’s goal record as ‘ridiculous’.

Deeney argued that the England captain does not get the recognition he deserves because of his nationality before insisting that he should be in any top-five player debate.

Deeney (picture) believes Kane is not hailed as ‘world class’ only because he’s English

Deeney, who was linked with a move to Spurs during the summer window, made the claim when discussing was constitutes a ‘world class’ player. 

‘That world class debate is interesting because unless your name is foreign, you don’t ever get put in that category as world class,’ Deeney told talkSPORT.

When Kane’s name is suggested, Deeney argued: ‘But then people go: “Lewandowski, Benzema” – they always put people above him. His goal record is ridiculous.’

Darren Bent agreed with the sentiment, saying that Kane is in the elite group of strikers.

Deeney says Robert Lewandowski (left) and Karim Benzema (right) get more credit than Kane

‘I would put Harry Kane in that world-class centre forward bracket,’ Bent said.

Deeney responded: ‘But he’s not in your top five. He’s not in your top five players. If someone said: “[Who are] your top five world class players,” people don’t naturally go for Harry Kane.’

Bent agreed, saying: ‘I think as a centre forward, I would put him in there. [Top five] players? No.’

Deeney pointed out how good Kane’s all-round game is to support his point.

‘He’s world class,’ Deeney added. ‘He’s ridiculous. His goal tally is a joke. If you see now, the passing that he is adding and the assists.

‘There was one where he hit the post against West Ham. It got pulled back to him and he’s coming onto it first time with the left foot and he’s just slapped the post. You are like: “Wow.” That just shows the level of what this guy can do.’

Kane is on a fantastic run of form at the moment, having scored 10 goals and set up eight for others in nine games. 

His five goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season saw him break Thierry Henry’s long-standing record of most goal contributions in the opening five games. 

He set up Son Heung-min to score Tottenham’s first goal against West Ham before grabbing a brace before half-time. 

England’s captain was in fine form against West Ham, setting up the opener before scoring two

While Spurs suffered an almighty collapse in the second half to draw 3-3, Kane received praise for his recent performances from the likes of Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness.

After watching his assist in the draw with West Ham, Carragher went as far as saying he is one of the best passers in the game. 

‘Harry Kane is one of the best passers in world football, I think. I’m not just talking about the assists he’s got in the last few games’, Carragher said.

‘When the ball comes into him his appreciation for where players are is fantastic.’  

Jamie Carragher hailed Kane as ‘one of the best passers in world football’ at the weekend

For his first goal Kane showed his passing ability once again by initially playing in Lucas Moura on the right before the ball found its way back to him. The striker nutmegged Declan Rice and smashed home outside the box to double their lead. 

Rice had only praise for his England skipper post-match: ‘He’s different class, the way he brings others into the game. 

‘We had trouble dealing with him. In the second half we managed to nullify him but he still had a great chance to kill the game.’