Harry Kane: The Ballon d’Or Winner Nobody Saw Coming

Released by Arsenal, shipped out on four loans, and described by his own academy as the “runt of the litter”, Harry Kane was never the obvious one. So how did he become the first Englishman since Michael Owen to win the Ballon d’Or? Mauricio Pochettino, Jesús Pérez, Gareth Southgate, Alex Inglethorpe, Geir Jordet, Kieran Trippier, Justin Cochrane and Andy Cole, who all saw him up close at different stages of the climb, help Jake and Damian answer that question.

• Alex Inglethorpe reveals the Spurs youngsters who hid footballs in the bushes for secret afternoon sessions, and why turning a blind eye was some of his best coaching.
• Mauricio Pochettino & Jesús Pérez explain the striker signing that never happened, and the public statement they refused to make, to show Kane they trusted him.
• Geir Jordet explains why Kane is the best penalty taker in the world, and the moment he tore up the technique that got him there.
• Gareth Southgate and Kieran Trippier describe the standard Kane set in the dressing room
• Justin Cochrane reflects on the youth-team player he first coached in 2009
• Andy Cole shares what moving from a team built around him taught him about “we, not me”.

Along the way, Jake shares what Norwich’s players made of their new loan striker, and the BBC boss whose belief changed his own career. Damian brings in the research on late bloomers, the “mundanity of excellence”, the power of a single sentence of feedback, and why people with high status talk about themselves less.

They finish on Kane’s acceptance speech: no goals, no stats, just his family and the coaches who helped him rise. If this has changed how you think about talent, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Listen to the full episodes:

Full episodes links for the guests featured:

Alex Ingelthorpe https://pod.fo/e/23d965

Mauricio Pochettino & Jesús Pérez: https://pod.fo/e/38b65d

Gareth Southgate: https://pod.fo/e/358861

Kieran Trippier: https://pod.fo/e/17a67f

Justin Cochrane: https://pod.fo/e/4181af

Andy Cole: https://pod.fo/e/264cb8

Robert Lewandowski: https://pod.fo/e/372653

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