Harry Kane has long been more than just a traditional center forward at FC Bayern. The newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner regularly drops back into midfield, helps build up play, and even takes on defensive duties. But it is precisely this versatility that is increasingly sparking debate. After German national team coach Jürgen Klopp had already questioned the Englishman’s unusual role, Mats Hummels has now also spoken out critically.
Ahead of the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, Hummels analyzed the 33-year-old’s current playing style on Amazon Prime Video. The former Bayern defender sees a possible connection between Kane’s changed positioning and his recent decline in goal-scoring threat.
Yet his stats remain impressive: In 13 competitive matches this season, Kane has scored ten goals and provided eight assists. Nevertheless, Hummels believes that the Englishman is not currently making the most of his exceptional finishing ability.
Hummels calls for Kane to be more present in the penalty area
“I think we’re currently in a phase where he’s playing a bit too little as a center forward. I’d like to see him spend a bit more time in the box again,” Hummels explained.
The TV analyst is particularly critical of Kane’s frequent forays into midfield. “He hasn’t had many scoring chances because he isn’t fully positioned at the very front of the attack. Maybe that’s because he’s been spending a lot of time roaming around in midfield right now,” said the former national team player.
At the same time, Hummels emphasized that Kane is doing an excellent job as a playmaker: “He’s doing a great job; he does it like no one else.”
Nevertheless, he’d like to see the striker back near the opponent’s goal more often.
In the recent 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund, Kane set up Dayot Upamecano’s goal, but he also missed a penalty and hit the post from close range.
Klopp, too, has already questioned Kane’s unusual role
Hummels isn’t the first prominent expert to comment on Kane’s changed playing style.
As early as the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp had publicly expressed his surprise at Munich’s tactical approach. “To this day, I still haven’t fully understood what Bayern does when they’re defending. But I just want to keep learning,” Klopp explained at the time on DAZN.
Kane’s extensive defensive duties, in particular, raised questions for the former Liverpool coach.
“I think that’s fine with the ball, but not when defending. When I see Harry Kane on the back line—and not in a deep block, but pressing in midfield,” Klopp criticized.
While Klopp primarily questioned the defensive positioning, Hummels is now calling for a stronger offensive presence from the Englishman.
The Bayern striker’s unusual role is thus increasingly becoming a topic of discussion.
However, there are also prominent supporters of Kane’s style of play. Prime expert Josephine Henning emphasized before the Atlético match just how difficult the Englishman is to defend against due to his movements. “It’s so hard to defend against him. When he drops deep and plays between the lines. As a defender, you get pulled out of position—it’s a nightmare. It’s really tough,” explained the four-time Champions League winner.
For FC Bayern, Kane thus remains a player whose tactical versatility elicits both admiration and critical questions. The key question is whether the Englishman can permanently and optimally combine his role as a playmaker with his qualities as a goal-scorer.