Suddenly, all the previous concerns have become irrelevant. The frustrating transfer market summer, the absence of a sporting director, the uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping position – none of it matters anymore. The impending arrival of Harry Kane at the Allianz Arena is a triumph for Bayern Munich, and they have every right to celebrate.
Bayern has been in dire need of this signing on multiple levels. Not necessarily from a statistical standpoint – the team scored 92 Bundesliga goals last season, compared to 97 the previous season, which is a negligible difference considering Robert Lewandowski’s departure, as he scored 35 of those 97 goals. The squad has goal-scoring potential from various players like Thomas Muller, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, and the promising Mathys Tel.
However, the significance of Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting last season highlighted the importance of having a reference-point center-forward for the team. His 17 goals in all competitions were helpful, but his ability to serve as an attacking support made Bayern a better and more cohesive team. Julian Nagelsmann continuously experimented with different formations in the absence of Lewandowski, initially opting for a front pair of Gnabry and Sadio Mane in a 4-4-2, and later transitioning to a front three with rotating central roles.
This constant rotation created its own problems in terms of dressing room harmony, which Kane is expected to help soothe. When Lewandowski was present, there was never any doubt about his role as the central figure. His absence led to a cluster of talented forwards vying for dominance, creating tension and unease. Whether this atmosphere contributed to clashes like Mane’s and Sane’s infamous dispute following the Champions League defeat to Manchester City is open to interpretation.
With Kane’s arrival, there will be certainty and balance. Positioning him as a direct replacement for Lewandowski is not entirely accurate. If Bayern were looking for a more like-for-like replacement, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – who attracted their interest but was deemed too expensive – would have been a natural choice. However, Kane’s tactical compatibility makes him a compelling option.
If Kane adopts a more creative role, dropping deeper to involve his teammates, it will complement Tottenham’s injection of creativity with players like James Maddison and Manor Solomon. With the speed and attacking prowess of players like Sané, Gnabry, Coman, and others, Kane’s contribution will extend beyond just scoring goals.
It is undeniable that Kane will excel both individually and collectively. However, he arrives at Bayern during a period when they are far from being the confident team they once were, following a challenging season. Bayern should not be entering this season as reigning champions, as they were handed the Bundesliga title on the final day due to Borussia Dortmund’s slip-up. This fact is not lost on them. They made significant changes, replacing Oliver Kahn as CEO and Hasan Salihamidzic as sporting director, with Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge returning to fix the issues.
The botched squad rebuild led to Nagelsmann dealing with a weakened defense for most of his tenure. Additionally, the goalkeeper situation is a genuine concern. Manuel Neuer is not fully fit after a skiing injury, and Bayern let go of Yann Sommer and Alexander Nubel. The haphazard approach to such a crucial position is uncharacteristic of Bayern.
These issues raise doubts about whether Kane, despite his brilliance, can be the key to another Champions League triumph. The notion that one superstar can single-handedly elevate a team to success has been questioned recently, as seen with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus and Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. However, Kane is younger than both Ronaldo and Messi were upon their arrivals and is clearly still at the top of his game.
One thing is certain – Kane will face intense scrutiny both internally and externally. He is not only a record signing for Bayern but also only the fourth player the club has spent over €50m on. There has been lively debate in Germany about whether Bayern should have made such a significant investment in a 30-year-old player with just one year remaining on his contract, despite him being the England captain.
The pressure at Bayern is unique, and discussions are always public. This, more than anything, will be an adjustment for Kane.
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