Harry Kane has blown everybody away with his goalscoring exploits in 2017.

Once dubbed a 'one season wonder' and doubted at every twist and turn, the Englishman has been so prolific this year that not even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could match his goal tally,

Two hat-tricks in two games against Burnley and Southampton elevated him to an unprecedented tally of 56. His astonishing end to December also saw him break Alan Shearer's Premier League record for goals in a calendar year, too.

There can no longer be any doubting that Kane is not only one of the best strikers in world football but one of the best players. Period.

As a result, Tottenham will face an uphill struggle in coming months and years to keep their prize asset from clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Perhaps the best way Spurs can keep Kane on the books, though, is continued success and progressions in the Champions League would be an unparalleled indicator of progress at the club.

Mauricio Pochettino's men face the stern task of Juventus in the round of 16 and their club captain - Gianluigi Buffon - is hungry for success after suffering final heartbreak in two of the last three seasons.

The legendary man himself is no stranger to Kane's prowess, however, and had some brilliant words of praise for the 24-year-old this week. 

“Harry is now one of the best strikers in ­Europe – there is no question about that,” Buffon declared.

“As a player, you can always work on parts of your game and try to ­improve – but there are some things you can’t teach.

“That natural goalscoring instinct is for me a talent that you are born with. I have seen over the years with Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Batistuta, they have that natural instinct that can really make goalkeepers suffer – and it’s clear Kane also has that.

“Always in my ­career I have wanted to test myself against the best – and now Harry Kane is one of the best. I have always had the attitude that I don’t fear the best – I respect them – and I always want to play against them.

“That is one of the greatest ­challenges of playing at the highest level, to test yourself against the best players – that is always something I have enjoyed.”

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is praise and orated with the typical class of Buffon.

Only two legs in February will tell how one of the world's finest strikers now fares against one of the game's greatest ever goalkeepers.

Do you think Harry Kane is the best striker in world football? Have your say in the comments section below.