Kane can handle pressure at champions Bayern says coach Tuchel

AFP

Bayern Munich's record signing Harry Kane will have no problems handling the pressure that comes with playing as a striker for the German champions, coach Thomas Tuchel said on Thursday.

England captain Kane joined last week from Tottenham Hotspur for a Bundesliga record 100 million euros plus add-ons with the Bavarians in need of an out-and-out forward since last year's departure of Robert Lewandowski. The 30-year-old is expected to

start in their Bundesliga premiere at Werder Bremen on Friday.

"If nothing happens today and tomorrow then he will start, of course," Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel told a press conference.

"This is not the first time in his career that he faces that," said Tuchel of the pressure Kane may be feeling in success-spoilt Munich. "He has learned to translate pressure into performances."

"For over a decade he knows how to handle pressure. I have absolute no concerns about that."

Kane made his debut in Germany last Saturday with a low-key substitute appearance in the second half of their Super Cup 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig.

Despite just three touches in 35 minutes, Kane's performance only hours after signing the contract did little to dampen Bayern fans' enthusiasm and expectations as the club needs to dramatically improve its conversion rate in attack.

Kane, who scored a Spurs record 280 goals in over 430 appearances in all competitions, is also the second-highest Premier League scorer of all time with 213 goals - 47 behind Alan Shearer.

With 58 goals for his country in 84 games, Kane is England's all-time leading marksman.

The Bavarians struggled for goals last season and only narrowly won the league title after Borussia Dortmund unexpectedly failed to win their last game at home.

"The Harry Kane effect will not evaporate," Tuchel said. "It works on so many levels that you cannot realise it because you do not witness it daily."

"In the changing room, on the pitch, his character, his professionalism. How hard he trains, how after the defeat he was first on the pitch for training with the reserves."

"He increases out chances of winning tomorrow massively. We know we will not win every match. But I am 100 per cent committed in this. Everything I see (from Kane) so far confirms this. He will make our players better."

"He gives us a lot of options and will get all the time to fully adapt but I am sure he will have his impact tomorrow," Tuchel said.

More from Sports

  • Arsenal keep alive faint title hopes with Chelsea win

    Arsenal defeated London rivals Chelsea 1-0 for their first win in four Premier League games on Sunday as a headed goal by stand-in striker Mikel Merino boosted their faint hopes of catching up with runaway leaders Liverpool.

  • Alcaraz says nerves got the better of him against Draper

    Carlos Alcaraz's hopes of capturing a third successive Indian Wells title went up in smoke on Saturday and the Spaniard said his inability to tame his nerves was more of a disappointment than the stunning semi-final defeat by Jack Draper.

  • Norris holds off Verstappen to win wild F1 opener in Australia

    McLaren's Lando Norris swept to victory in a wet and wild Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off defending champion Max Verstappen in a white-knuckle finish to a Formula One season-opener littered with crashes and safety cars.

  • Man City held to 2-2 home draw by Brighton

    Manchester City could only muster a 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, dropping points in a blow to their hopes of playing European football next season.

  • Verstappen surprised by Red Bull improvement in Australia

    After struggling with setup issues through Australian Grand Prix practice, Max Verstappen was surprised by his Red Bull car's performance on Saturday as the Formula One defending champion took third place in qualifying for the season-opening race.