Is Kompany’s new playmaker emerging?
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has several options as he prepares his team to face Eintracht Frankfurt this Saturday. Throughout the season, the Belgian manager has frequently rotated his full-backs, central midfielders, and wide forwards, but this weekend he may consider further experimenting with his forward lineup. A key focus will be on the role of star striker Harry Kane in the upcoming match.
Whether it was with Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern, or the England national team, Kane has proven himself to be one of the top strikers in world football. Unsurprisingly, he has made a significant impact in the Bundesliga, showcasing his impressive goal-scoring ability. As of Saturday’s match, Kane has recorded an outstanding 102 goals and 29 assists in 105 matches across all competitions with Bayern. Analyzing his career stats reveals that the 32-year-old is currently experiencing the prime of his career.
Kane’s Evolving Role at Bayern
Examining Kane’s goal contributions per game, excluding penalties, shows that he is averaging more goals and assists with Bayern this season than he did at Tottenham or with Bayern last season. With 10 non-penalty goals and three assists in just 742 minutes on the pitch, Kane is averaging 1.70 goals and assists combined per 90 minutes, a remarkable increase from his average in previous seasons.
Kane’s goals per 90 average has certainly improved since joining Bayern, rising from 0.56 in his last three seasons at Tottenham to 0.93. Moreover, he has significantly increased his assists, with his assist rate surpassing most of his last seasons at Tottenham. This improvement can be largely attributed to the presence of various goal-scorers at Bayern, such as Serge Gnabry, Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, and new addition Nicolas Jackson. However, the absence of Jamal Musiala, who typically occupies the No.10 role, has allowed Kane to drop deeper and become one of Bayern’s key playmakers.
Statistical analysis from FBRef reveals that while 73% of Kane’s touches were in the final third in the previous two seasons, that figure has decreased to 62% this season, although his overall touches per game have increased. The most significant change is in the middle third, where his touches have risen to 16.4 per game, up from his previous averages.
Notably, Kompany has recognized this shift and has utilized Kane as a second striker on several occasions. In a recent Champions League match against Pafos, Kane thrived in the No.10 position, scoring twice. He replicated this role during Bayern’s 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim, netting three goals. Whether Kompany chooses to adopt this strategy against Frankfurt remains to be seen, but it is clear that Kane’s role within the team has evolved, allowing him to showcase his diverse talents more effectively.
