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Bayern Munich’s season so far has been shaped by two things: a concerning injury list and the presence of Harry Kane. The two storylines are becoming increasingly connected, and as key players like Alphonso Davies, Manuel Neuer, and Serge Gnarby become sidelined throughout the season, Kane has been the constant, ever-present, and ever-dangerous centerpiece of almost everything positive in Bayern’s attacking play. And for anyone tracking Germany’s top-tier odds, his influence is impossible to ignore.
Kane has scored goals at a staggering rate, with 14 already this season. That consistency has highlighted not only how good Kane is, but also how much Bayern’s attacking identity pivots around him.
Why Bayern pivot around him
Kane’s contribution goes far beyond goals, although his scoring record speaks for itself. What truly defines his impact is how Bayern’s entire attacking identity now flows around him. Every movement, every transition, every bit of pressure in the final third looks cleaner and more coordinated because there is a focal point who gives meaning to the team’s structure.
His positioning stretches defenses, creating pockets for Bayern’s wingers and midfielders to attack. The numbers reflect it: Bayern enjoy more touches inside the box, generate higher expected goals (xG), and convert chances more efficiently when Kane is leading the line. When he’s on the pitch, Bayern look balanced, confident and in control. When he isn’t, that sense of order disappears surprisingly quickly.
Last season’s vulnerability without Kane
Last season offered a stark illustration of how vulnerable Bayern can become without Kane. He missed three Bundesliga matches, and Bayern managed to win only one of them. The second was a 2–1 defeat to Mainz, a game in which Bayern looked fragile in every phase of play. Although chances still came, there was a noticeable lack of authority and control. The third match was a chaotic 3–3 draw with RB Leipzig. Bayern found goals, but they lacked both defensive structure and collective confidence.
He was also absent for the DFB-Pokal round of 16, a match in which Bayern never found their rhythm and were eventually knocked out in a 1-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern still moved the ball well in spells, but without Kane, their attacks lacked conviction, and they never resembled a side capable of turning dominance into goals.
Who would step up?
That raises an uncomfortable hypothetical for Bayern: what happens if Kane were to be injured again this season? The squad contains capable forwards, but none with Kane’s particular blend of finishing, physical presence, intelligence and leadership.
If Kane were to miss time again this season, Bayern would need their most productive attackers to carry the load. Michael Olise, with six goals and six assists, would become the main creative force, using his dribbling and vision to generate chances that usually run through Kane. Luis Diaz, who has six goals and four assists, would add the direct running and aggression needed to unsettle defenses and keep Bayern threatening in the final third.
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Whether Bayern could sustain a title push without Kane is far from clear. Last season showed that when he’s missing, it isn’t just the goals that drop — the whole team seems to lose its shape and confidence.
Kane has become the player who ties everything together, the one who gives Bayern a sense of direction and belief. If they want to avoid another wobble this year, keeping him fit might be just as important as any tactical adjustment or new signing they make.