Kane is to Tottenham what Messi is to Barcelona, says Lenglet

Harry Kane’s importance to Tottenham is as significant as the impact Lionel Messi had during his career at Barcelona, according to Clement Lenglet.

France defender Lenglet is well known to Messi having played alongside him at Camp Nou and also against the Argentina great during his time at Sevilla.

Messi had been a one-club man until the start of the 2021-22 season when Barca’s perilous financial situation saw him depart for Paris Saint-Germain.

The superstar forward became the club’s all-time leading scorer and a record seven-time Ballon d’Or winner at Barca, while he counts 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League medals among a plethora of honours won with Los Cules.

While Kane has yet to win a medal with Spurs, Lenglet – who joined Tottenham from Barca on loan in the last transfer window – talked up the impact he has on the club.

In quotes reported by the Daily Mail, Lenglet said: “When you stay a long time in the same place and you achieve so many good things with the club it means you become a part of this club.

“Your face is connected to the club. For me, Messi is always a Barca player.

“For Harry it’s the same. It’s difficult to think of Harry in another country or playing for another team. Tottenham is a big club, Harry is a big player and Harry is a big part of Tottenham.

“We speak a lot about the player and that’s important because we are players but I give the same importance to what he is like as a guy. He is an amazing example for all his team-mates.”

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Describing what it is like to be play with and against Messi, Lenglet added: “You play with the greatest player in the world in my opinion.

“He helps you improve every day. I played with him [for Barca] and against him for Sevilla – it’s better with him!”

Lenglet has made just three Premier League starts for Spurs this season but said it only required a short conversation with boss Antonio Conte to persuade him to make the move to north London, where he is still adjusting to a new way of life.

“We spoke about a lot of things. He [Conte] told me if I came here I would improve because the league is so competitive, you have to be ready and focused every game,” Lenglet said.

“He said if I came here I would be happy because I would progress as a football player and it has been a good decision.

“It’s a different culture, a different way to work. I was in Spain for six years. You work one way, you think one way, the football is the same. Now, you come to England – a different league, different intensity, different way to work. It’s a good way to improve.”

Tottenham sit third in the Premier League and are out to rebound from defeat against Manchester United when they face Newcastle United on Sunday.