Harry Kane has been waiting to score his next goal for FC Bayern since winning the Ballon d’Or. Even in the 2-1 away win against Mainz 05, the English national team player failed to find the back of the net. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old once again demonstrated just how important he is to the German record champions. After the game, Max Eberl and Joshua Kimmich explicitly defended the striker.
Since his triumph in the World Player of the Year award, Kane has not scored in three competitive matches. Neither in the 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund, nor in the 2-0 win against Atlético Madrid, nor in the most recent victory in Mainz was the Englishman able to get on the scoresheet.
However, there is no sign of a real slump in form. Against Mainz, Kane set up both of Bayern’s goals and set a new record with eight assists after nine Bundesliga matchdays. For sporting director Max Eberl, there is therefore no cause for concern. After the match, the 53-year-old also pointed out the extraordinary weeks the striker has had.
Eberl explains: “We’re all only human.”
“But he set up two goals today—you have to give him credit for that, at least in terms of his involvement in the goals,” Eberl emphasized after the road win.
The Bayern boss then explained why the numerous awards and commitments of the past few weeks may not have left Kane entirely unscathed.
“After all, we’re all only human. He won the Ballon d’Or and the Golden Boot, extended his contract, received one award after another, and attended one event after another. All of that takes its toll on a person,” said Eberl.
Even during the upcoming international break, things aren’t likely to get any quieter for the England national team captain. “Now he’s heading to England, where he’ll probably be celebrated again because he’s on the verge of becoming England’s all-time leading international,” explained the sporting director.
Eberl therefore hopes that Kane will then be able to focus entirely on soccer again. “After that, I think Harry himself will be very happy when it’s all about soccer again.”
The fact that the Englishman is currently scoring less frequently himself is likely to be on his mind, according to the Bayern boss. “Normally, he gets frustrated when he doesn’t score the goals himself. But as long as he’s setting them up, that’s what matters most.”
Kimmich raves about Kane’s leadership qualities
Joshua Kimmich also made it clear that the 33-year-old’s importance shouldn’t be measured solely by his goals. “He’ll start scoring again soon, and then hopefully we’ll play even better,” the midfielder explained after the win in Mainz.
The DFB captain also pointed to the Englishman’s numerous assists and highlighted his exceptional value within the team. “Harry is extremely important to us, regardless of his goals. It’s also about how he behaves within the group and how he leads by example on the field,” Kimmich emphasized.
Especially during difficult stretches, Kane regularly steps up and supports his teammates. “That’s why he’s valuable not only when he scores goals, but in many other ways as well,” the 31-year-old clarified.
The statistics underscore this assessment. After nine Bundesliga matchdays, Kane has four goals and eight assists. This means the Englishman has already been directly involved in twelve goals.
The recent victory over Mainz, in particular, demonstrated just how versatile the Ballon d’Or winner has become. Both Joshua Kimmich and Lennart Karl benefited from the striker’s assists on their goals.
For Bayern, therefore, it matters less who scores the goals. As long as Kane continues to be regularly involved in goals and drives the offense, he remains one of the record champions’ most important assets for success.