Tottenham's Harry Kane likened to an "ex-lover" amid Antonio Conte's comments

Joe Cole has likened Harry Kane to being an "ex-lover" and has claimed the Tottenham Hotspur star is upsetting the dynamic of his team.

The former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham playmaker believes Kane still wants to leave Spurs after seeking a move away to Manchester City during the summer transfer window.

But the England captain stayed put and has had a slow start to the season in north London.

Kane has just one Premier League goal in nine games as Tottenham sit ninth in the table.

Results saw manager Nuno Espirito Santo sacked by chairman Daniel Levy on Monday and Antonio Conteannounced as his replacement within 24 hours.

Cole believes Spurs need further investment to compete at the top, while Kane's uncertain future remains an issue that will hold them back until resolved.

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Kane has scored one Premier League goal this season

"They have good players and some talented youngsters, like [Oliver] Skipp who has been a big positive this season, but to match the big guns they need a lot more investment," the player-turned-pundit told Coralbookmakers.

"Are the big names going to want to go to Spurs at the moment? There are a lot of unanswered questions, they will want to know where Harry Kane's future lies.

"It is like they are holding onto an ex-lover who doesn't want to be there anymore and until they sort that situation out then the dynamics of the group are going to be affected."

Cole went on to say: "I don't blame Kane himself for that.

"He has been a fantastic servant to Tottenham and been one of the best English strikers I have seen in my time over the last few years and he deserves to be playing in a team that are competing for titles.

"Footballers have a short career and they want to win things.

"The squad that Spurs have at the moment is so far from that level and Nuno was never going to be able to deliver success without some changes to the group of players he had."

One of the first items on Conte's agenda will be to resolve the saga surrounding his star striker, but the Italian made his feelings on Kane clear after being announced as the club's new manager.

"I consider him as one of the best players in the world," Conte said.

How will Conte fare as Spurs' new boss? Have your say below.

Conte's arrival could go some way to persuading Kane to stay put, particularly with Spurs reportedly set to hand the ex-Chelsea boss a £150million transfer war chest, having agreed an 18-month contract in north London.

Antonio Conte has been appointed as Tottenham's new manager ( Image:

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

Upon his confirmation as boss, Conte said: "I am extremely happy to return to coaching, and to do so at a Premier League club that has the ambition to be a protagonist again.

"Tottenham Hotspur has state-of-the-art facilities and one of the best stadiums in the world.

"I can't wait to start working to convey to the team and the fans the passion, mentality and determination that have always distinguished me, as a player and as a coach."