Trevillion on Kane, Eriksen and finals against Chelsea

In the second part of our exclusive feature, artist Paul Trevillion explains why Sunday’s showpiece will be a repeat of the 1967 Cockney Final, compares Harry Kane to Frank Saul and highlights why Christian Eriksen will star.

As an artist Paul Trevillion can capture the movement, emotion, passion, desire and skill of a player – all attributes he sees in Harry Kane. “Kane is the easiest player to draw in the Tottenham team because his face is alive,” said Trevillion. “When he scores he’s alive!”

The club has a history of great strikers with Bobby Smith, Jimmy Greaves, Martin Chivers, Steve Archibald, Clive Allen, Gary Lineker, Jurgen Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham just some of the names on an illustrious and ever-expanding list.

Having seen the majority of them play in their heyday, Trevillion passionately recalls Frank Saul, who scored 37 goals in 116 appearances for the Club between 1960 and 1968, and picks him out as the forward most like our in-form No18. “Bobby Smith was my favourite player – he was the guv’nor – I loved him,” he explained with vigour. “Goalkeepers didn’t like him – he had such a lot of skill.

“Bill Nick loved him but when he left Frank Saul came in. A lot of people don’t know Frank Saul but I always say that when we won the FA Cup in 1967 we owed him a lot. Bill Nick said he was like a submarine – you don’t see him, then suddenly he emerges and the ball is in the back of the net.”

Saul scored in the 1967 quarter-final replay against Birmingham, as well as the semi-final against Nottingham Forest and in the final as we beat Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley. However, scoring goals isn’t the only thing Saul and Kane have in common, according to Trevillion. “Frank Saul was a nice guy, like Harry Kane. He was very modest – he wasn’t the tallest or as strong as Kane but he was like Kane in terms of attitude. When Kane goes out to play he knows he’s going to score and that’s what makes a great goalscorer.

“He’s the business – he’s strong, can run all day, has a terrific engine, is good in the air, has two good feet and knows where the goal is. I always remember talking to Jimmy Greaves and he used to say ‘when I see the whites of the goalposts, the ball is on its way.’ That’s what Kane is like now – I love him. The ultimate was Pele who used to say that even his bad games were good so hopefully Harry will be able to say that at the end of his career.”

Harry isn’t the only one who has been in the spotlight for his goals this season and Trevillion is also backing Christian Eriksen to come up with the goods in the final. “Eriksen is going to be man of the match in the final, not Hazard, Oscar or Costa. I’m not worried about Chelsea – I wouldn’t be going if I thought we’d lose. We’re going to beat them and do it convincingly. Eriksen will be man of the match and Kane will score.”