I saw Harry Kane in Tottenham academy and told them that he was as good as Alan Shearer and Robbie Fowler

Brad Friedel has recalled how one training session with a young Harry Kane convinced Tottenham that he would become a superstar.

The American former goalkeeper spent 18 years playing in England before hanging up his gloves with Spurs in 2015, meaning he and Kane were technically teammates.

4

While studying for his coaching badges, Friedel was in north London at the same time as Kane when he was trying to force his way into the first team fold.

After mixed loan spells with Leyton Orient, Norwich and Leicester, the striker was facing an uncertain future with Tottenham due to being unable to break into the starting XI.

But speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Friedel told the story of how he may have boosted Kane's hopes of becoming a first-team regular at Spurs.

Responding to Jason Cundy calling him the best no.9 in the world, Friedel said: “I would agree.

READ MORE ON HARRY KANE

Kane has no regrets on Bundesliga decision as he answers question on new manager rumours

Three of Harry Kane's kids have 'lucky escape' as they avoid injury in car crash

“When I was finishing at Tottenham and I was finishing my coaching badges – my UEFA B, UEFA A and my pro licence – I think it was between my B and my A that Harry was still in the under-21s as it was back then and coming into the first team.

“He wanted to stay behind to do finishing all the time with John McDermott who I think is one of the best youth developers in world football,and he is now technical director of the FA.

“We came in after one of the trainings and he said, ‘who was good’ and I said ‘Kane’. He said, ‘anyone else?’ and I said ‘no, Harry Kane’.

“I said he’s got the pace of Shearer’s shot and the back-lift of Robbie Fowler.

Most read in Football

Kevin Phillips sends statement as Jeff Stelling rages at Hartlepool decision

Why Man United voted against Premier League spending cap as PSR to be ditched

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invest in second football team following Wrexham success

Arne Slot admitted Liverpool weren't in his top three Premier League teams to watch

4

4

4

“If you ever played as a goalkeeper against Robbie Fowler his back-lift is tiny and you don’t have time to get your feet set and the ball is by you before you even know.

“He (Fowler) was so accurate at hitting the corners as we know from his own goal record and Shearer, I don’t even think he looked up at the goalkeeper.

“He just smashed the ball and if the goalkeeper could save it then fair play to him. When I played against him it seemed like that was how he approached finishing.

“Kane was superb. I wouldn’t say Spurs were questioning it but he (McDermott) sat up in his chair and wanted to know more about why a player who had played so many Premier League games just said that about one of his academy players where there may have been some questions.

“They weren’t about if he was a good pro or if he’d have a professional career, but if he was going to be the best no.9 in the world.

“If you were saving his shot it was a great save.”

Kane went on to become Tottenham's all-time top goalscorer during his time at the club with 280 to his name before leaving for Bayern Munich last summer.

Since then he has scored a staggering 39 goals for the German side with Bayern hoping to go all the way in the Champions League.