Ex-Bayern Defender Picks Harry Kane Over Haaland and Mbappé, Who is He?

Kane’s all-around game and goal tally earn high praise from former Bayern defender

Former Bayern Munich defender Markus Babbel has thrown his hat into the ring in football’s never-ending “best striker” debate. Interestingly, Babbel’s praise for Kane comes amid broader debate about Markus Babbel questioning Uli Hoeneß’s role at Bayern Munich, highlighting tensions behind the scenes. And his pick? None other than Harry Kane, who, according to Babbel, is the most complete forward gracing the pitch today—outshining even Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.

Babbel points to Kane’s football IQ and versatility as the secret sauce. “He’s not the fastest or the strongest, but his awareness and ability to connect midfield and attack make him stand out,” Babbel explained, sounding almost like a proud coach. He didn’t stop there—Babbel also tipped his hat to Kane’s willingness to track back and defend, a trait as rare among strikers as a unicorn at Oktoberfest.

Kane has hit the ground running at Bayern Munich, racking up 22 goals in just 15 games. His scoring spree has kept his new club firmly in the hunt. Meanwhile, Haaland has bagged 17 goals in 13 games for Manchester City, and Mbappé isn’t far behind with 18 in 14 matches for Paris Saint-Germain. With numbers this close, the race for the European Golden Shoe is tighter than a drum. That dominance was further cemented when Harry Kane reached the 500 goals mark, a milestone that underlined his place among football’s elite finishers.

Babbel broke down why Kane is such a nightmare for defenders in today’s game, where zonal marking rules the roost. Kane’s knack for finding pockets of space is, in Babbel’s words, uncanny. “He’s always in the right place at the right time,” Babbel noted, as if Kane had a built-in GPS. While he tips his cap to Haaland’s lethal finishing and Mbappé’s blistering pace, Babbel insists it’s Kane’s all-around game that tips the scales.

“If I had to pick a teammate, I’d choose Kane right away,” Babbel declared, praising Kane’s defensive hustle and his team-first mentality. You can almost picture Babbel handing Kane the keys to his fantasy football team without a second thought.

As Bayern Munich gears up to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the debate over football’s best striker rages on. At the same time, Bayern’s future planning remains under scrutiny with reports of Bayern contacting Florian Wirtz’s agent despite his Liverpool commitment, adding another layer to the club’s evolving strategy. One thing’s for sure: with Kane, Haaland, and Mbappé lighting up Europe, fans are in for a treat—no matter which camp they’re in.