Harry Kane has just extended his contract with FC Bayern through 2029, but the discussions surrounding the English national team player show no signs of letting up. While the Munich club has secured the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner for the long term, there is growing debate about his role on the field. His frequent forays into midfield are a particular point of focus. Now, Roy Makaay, a former Bayern striker legend, has weighed in.
The Dutchman cannot understand the criticism of Kane’s playing style. In an interview with ran, the former striker defended the 33-year-old and emphasized that his exceptional qualities go far beyond simply scoring goals.
In fact, things haven’t gone quite as smoothly for Kane in the Bundesliga so far as they usually do. After eight league games, he has only four goals to his name. For a striker of his caliber, that’s a relatively modest tally. Makaay, however, sees no cause for concern.
Makaay Defends Kane’s Unconventional Playing Style
“That’s how he played at Tottenham. That’s his style, and the coaches give him the freedom to play that way,” Makaay explained to ran.
The fact that Kane regularly drops deep and at times acts like an extra midfielder isn’t a problem for the 51-year-old. “He just likes to drop back and distribute the ball. But he also scores his goals. There’s no need to change his approach; instead, let him play the way he plays, because the team is already used to it.”
From the former Bayern striker’s perspective, Kane is often judged too harshly based on his personal goal-scoring rate.
Yet the Englishman plays a much more versatile role in Munich’s offensive play. “The press likes to focus on the statistics, but you have to look at the great assists he provides. Goals are important, but so are assists,” Makaay emphasized.
The former Dutch national team player knows what he’s talking about. During his time at FC Bayern, he scored 103 goals in 183 competitive matches and was one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous attackers.
For Makaay, it’s therefore clear that Kane is of enormous value to the team even when he doesn’t score himself.
Even without scoring himself, the Englishman is “extremely important to FC Bayern.”
In addition, Makaay sees a major advantage in the fact that Munich now has several dangerous offensive players. “It’s an advantage that the team isn’t solely dependent on him and that many other players can score goals.”
Makaay counts Bayern among the Champions League favorites
While Kane has so far fallen slightly short of his usual scoring rate in the Bundesliga, he has been significantly more accurate in front of goal in the Champions League.
In four games of the current Champions League season, the Englishman has already scored four goals.
That’s another reason why Makaay believes the German record champions are capable of great things this season.
In his view, Bayern are “among the top favorites” in the Champions League, “but for that to happen, everyone has to be in top form.”
The former Bayern pro is particularly optimistic about the improved depth of the roster.
“With the signings of Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari, as well as Alphonso Davies—who can almost be considered a new signing after his injury—they’ve also become stronger in terms of depth.”
However, Makaay cautioned against underestimating the international competition. “There are several top clubs, though, like Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid. You also need a bit of luck with the draw.”
For FC Bayern, winning the Champions League remains the ultimate goal. With Kane’s long-term contract extension, the Munich club has laid an important foundation for that.
In any case, Makaay is convinced that the Englishman can continue to play a decisive role in the coming years—regardless of how often he himself appears on the scoresheet.