Man Utd have desperate Harry Kane hope as Bayern star becomes darling of Germany
Harry Kane is in danger of making England the German nation’s second favourite team at next summer’s Euros. The mark he is making on German football – and the familiar humility with which he is doing it – is threatening to turn the tournament hosts into fully-fledged Anglophiles.
Never mind the historic football rivalry – everyone loves Harry. Two more goals for Bayern Munich on Wednesday night – after successive Bundesliga hat-tricks which included a goal from inside his own half – took the German champions into the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare.
The England captain has 19 goals in 16 matches in all for his new club as well as seven assists this season. Everyone knew Kane was outstanding – including Bayern who spent £86million on him – but it turns out he is even better than that.
He will join up with England next week for their remaining qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia as the leading striker in Europe. Even Erling Haaland, who has 15 goals in 16 games including the Super Cup for Manchester City, is trailing in his wake.
It is true that the Bundesliga does not have the depth of the Premier League. A hat-trick against Darmstadt 98 – even if it does include a goal from inside your own half – is not quite the same as one in a north London derby. But Kane can do it against anyone.
The double against Galatasaray took him to four in the Champions League this season. Manchester United face Bayern Munich in their final group match at Old Trafford. If they are still alive, they will be hoping against hope Thomas Tuchel mothballs Kane for the tie with qualification assured.
What could have been a tricky transition to a different club and new life on the continent – he is still living in a hotel having yet to settle on a house for his family – has been made to look anything but. For Tuchel, Kane’s arrival is a gift from above.
First to training, last to finish, he is a fantastic role model for young players in the Bayern squad like Jamal Musiala. The professionalism which has been the bedrock of Kane’s success is driving the standards even higher at the German champions.
City may be favourites, Real Madrid will always be there or thereabouts but when it comes to the business end of the Champions League season, Bayern – with Kane – will be a threat this season. The final is at Wembley. The script is written for him, waiting to be signed off.
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It is tempting to play the ‘what if’ game with Kane. Should he have moved away from Spurs earlier? What if had gone to City two summers ago when they came in for him? Would he have smashed the records Haaland did last season? He may not have the physical attributes of the Norwegian or the sheer terror threat for defenders but he is a smarter all-round player and a better finisher.
What if he had stayed at Spurs this season under the enlightened management of Ange Postecoglou? How many goals would he have scored in that environment? He would certainly have enjoyed more opportunities than under the Australian’s defensive-minded predecessors.
It is all conjecture. He is in Munich now and making the absolute most of it, living his best football life. It is easy to take Kane’s exceptionalism for granted but we shouldn’t. He is a national treasure.
If he also happens to be the most popular ambassador to Germany England has ever had, then so much the better for next summer.
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