There may be loads of debate over who’s one of the best striker on the planet, but for former Bayern Munich and Liverpool defender Markus Babbel, the reply is obvious: Harry Kane.
The England captain has been sparkling for Bayern since his move from Spurs in 2023, scoring at an absurd rate.
The 32-year-old has netted 107 times in 111 games in all competitions, scoring 74 Bundesliga goals in 72 outings.
Kane also landed the primary major title of his profession as Bayern won the Bundesliga last season, ending a protracted wait for some silverware.
Babbel has been blown away by the Englishman, recognising that he doesn’t have the physical gifts of Haaland or Mbappe, but greater than makes up for it together with his intelligence on the pitch.
The 51-cap Germany international, who won Euro ’96 together with his country, feels Kane is a much tougher challenge for a defender than the Norwegian or the Frenchman.
‘Which of this trio – Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe – would I not have desired to defend against as a defender? Clear answer: Kane!’ he wrote in his column for Kicker.
‘He’s the toughest to pin down. He’s neither exceptionally fast nor does he have a rare physique, and he doesn’t stand out within the air either. But he has incredible game intelligence, which allows him to evade his opponents.
‘It could have been easier prior to now. Back then, centre-backs were man-markers and even sweepers. They were allowed, and even encouraged, to trace their opponents in every single place.
‘As of late, hardly any player knows how man-marking works anymore, and for the reason that switch to modern zonal marking, no one really knows how or when to cover him.’
He added: ‘For me, Haaland comes after Kane. When he uses his dynamism and gets his body in the way in which, I don’t know where I’d be flying
‘If I could select one teammate from the three, I’d also select Kane. Together with his defensive attitude, he’s taken the entire thing to a different level.’
‘They’ve not got the all-round ability that Kane has got’
Former Spurs and England star Glenn Hoddle agrees that Kane is one of the best striker of the three because he brings qualities that Mbappe and Haaland don’t.
‘It shouldn’t be only his goal-scoring abilities, it’s what he’s, he’s a No. 10 as well,’ Hoddle told TNT Sports. ‘He can come off and hit passes.
‘Erling Haaland, you may say Mbappe, there are some wonderful players still on the market, but they’ve not got the all-round ability that Kane has got. He scores goals and he makes and creates goals.’
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