Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane has "all the makings" to be one of the all-time great Premier League and international strikers.
Kane has gone from an unknown to one of the most feared forwards in Europe under Pochettino's management, and only Manchester City's Sergio Aguero has scored more league goals than the 22-year-old since the start of last season.
Despite not starting a league match until November, Kane finished 2014-15 with 21 Premier League goals and 31 in all competitions and his form has continued this term.
Kane's 23 goals -- his latest a stunner in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal -- have helped Spurs to a shock title challenge and into the round of 16 of the Europa League, where they face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg on Thursday.
Pochettino believes Kane, who made his England debut in March last year, is on course to become a legend for club and country but says he must replicate his form over a number of seasons, as Aguero has done.
"If it's about goals and talent, he has all the makings, sure," Pochettino told German magazine kicker. "He can be one of the great forwards in the Premier League and for the national team. But you can only be one of the real greats if you have shown that over a number of years. Sergio Aguero comes into my mind."
Pochettino's Spurs have already surpassed expectations this season but the Argentine believes his young squad is only going to get better, and revealed that his secret is a blend of youth and experience.
"We've got the youngest squad in the league," he said. "We are only at the beginning, but now we are laying the foundation for the future of the club. We are on the right path, but need time.
"We try to build the best team, independent of stars or homegrown talents. I like to work with both, but I also look at the quality, and not names or age. We've found a good mix between experience and youth. Hugo Lloris, Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld on the one hand, and Ryan Mason, Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen on the other.
"It only shows the club's direction, and we're back at the philosophy. You can find good lads all over the world, and they have been here before me, we only increase their chances to show themselves. That was already important for me and my staff at Espanyol or Southampton: Promote talents. Youth work is our DNA."
Second-place Spurs trail Leicester City by five points with nine league matches remaining and Pochettino is dreaming of a first league title since 1961 -- but he has warned his players not to talk about it.
"I always tell them: 'More important than talking is to show on the pitch that we are out to achieve great things.' I am a dreamer. It's allowed to hope and dream," he added. "But then the work begins and I think that we do a very good job. With a good philosophy.
"Of course I would love to [win a trophy] this season. But football is imponderable. We will give it our all until the end.
"It's about everything in football all of the time. Everything's important: Youth work, points, titles. But sure, we are a bit proud about how well things go right now. And about what the young players give back on the pitch."