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    Supercomputer names best player to replace Harry Kane at Tottenham and predicts four other alternative strikers

    REPLACING Harry Kane is a difficult thing to do for Tottenham. Not only was he a homegrown star, he was their best goalscorer and most creative player after developing his game to become a complete forward.
    Harry Kane has sealed a transfer to Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    And Spurs will be scouring the market for his replacementCredit: PA
    So what do Spurs need in a replacement? An out-and-out goalscorer or a more mobile attacking player?
    The truth is probably something in between.
    But using xGOLD – a custom-built tool from Total Football Analysis that helps clubs find interesting players in the market – we can look at five players who could replace Kane’s attacking output.
    So, which five players does xGOLD predict would be the best replacements for Kane?
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    5. Ibrahim Salah – 80% xGOLD match
    Ibrahim Salah is the first player earmarked by xGOLD as a replacement for KaneCredit: Getty
    Salah receives and dishes out far more passes than than Kane per 90
    The fifth player on our list is 20-year-old Moroccan forward Ibrahim Salah – a product of the prolific youth academy at Gent in Belgium.
    Salah – who signed for Rennes for £6.5million in January – is a versatile attacking player who is capable of playing in the wide areas or centrally as a 9 or a 10.
    He has already caught the eye this season with two goals on the opening weekend of Ligue 1 as Rennes comfortably beat Metz 5-1.
    Salah is very strong in finding pockets of space in the final third in which he can receive the ball before turning to run in possession or find line-breaking passes to play teammates in behind the defence.
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    He is a powerful ball carrier with the ability to drive with the ball in space.
    Salah picks up the ball and drives the ball forward
    In the above example he has picked up possession of the ball deep in his own half before driving forward and moving his team across the half-way line as they counterattack effectively.
    For all that he is physical in the way that he moves and carries the ball his game intelligence and understanding shine through in terms of understanding when to drive and when to look to cut back into pockets of space to link play.
    This is perhaps where he is most similar to Kane in his ability to occupy space between the lines in order to help the midfield and attack link together.
    While here he is seen arriving late into the area
    One area of Salah’s game that is rapidly improving is his attacking instincts in terms of position and movement in the final third.
    Obviously, he is much younger than Kane although there are similarities to the way that Salah identifies and uses space to the way that Kane used to when he was beginning to establish himself in the Spurs first-team.
    We see an example of this above as Salah is initially positioned outside the area and as the cross, and shot, come in he is the first to react when the goalkeeper pushes the ball out into the area.
    4. Santiago Castro – 82% xGOLD match
    Santiago Castro could be another option from the South American marketCredit: Getty
    Castro is more active in aerial duels and dribbling than Kane
    With Spurs having already accessed the Argentinean market once this summer with Alejo Veliz, the next player on our list of similar forwards is also an Argentine – 18-year-old Santiago Castro.
    Castro is an U20 international with four goals in seven appearances who plays Velez Sarsfield at club level.
    While Salah is more of a versatile forward who can play wide or through the centre of the pitch, Castro is more comfortable playing in central areas.
    He is a centre-forward similar to Kane in that he is comfortable dropping deeper to get on the ball in the attacking phase or when playing on the shoulder of the defender and looking to make runs in behind.
    Here Castro drops into space before unleashing a strike at goal
    We see an example of the type of movement that Castro shows here. As Velez are building their attack out on the near side the ball is initially set back to a deeper player.
    Instead of looking to find a small pocket of space in a crowded penalty area, we see Castro drop out of the area to receive a pass.
    When getting on the ball in this area, in the same way that Kane would have previously, Castro will be aggressive in looking to make an angle to shoot at goal.
    A double movement in this example allows him to find space in the area
    While Kane was dangerous in deeper areas he was also, of course, extremely dangerous when making space for a shot at goal in the penalty area.
    Castro has this aspect to his game already.
    This time we see the ball on the opposite side of the pitch and as the cross comes in Castro has made a double movement to gain an advantage on his marker and as the cross has been made Castro ends up with an acrobatic attempt at goal.
    3. Amine Salama – 83% xGOLD match
    Angers ace Amine Salama has lit up the French top flightCredit: Getty
    Salama is a very progressive passer of the ball
    The third closest match to Kane according to xGOLD is 23-year-old French forward Amine Salama of Stade Reims.
    Salama has actually already moved clubs this summer having completed a move for a fee in the region of £4m from Angers to Stade Reims in Ligue 1.
    He is an interesting player given his size and technical ability. Salama stands at around 6’4” and while he is strong aerially he is very good with the ball at his feet.
    In some ways he is extremely similar in terms of playing style to Kane with the ability to drop in and connect play in deeper areas while also having the movement and touch to be extremely dangerous in and around the penalty area.
    Salama is very dangerous when dropping into these deeper pockets to receive the ball.
    Here we see Salama in possession of the ball in a deeper position
    Here, we see Salama in possession of the ball in a deeper position off the front line.
    His movement and game intelligence are really impressive and as such he is good at getting into space between the lines of the opposition defensive block to receive the ball.
    He will then typically turn to either drive at the opposition defence in possession or, as is the case here, he will look for a chance to play a through ball to release another forward.
    His ability on the ball in those pockets make him a dangerous threat
    Salama is similar to Kane in that he possesses excellent timing and vision when combining to release teammates into dangerous areas.
    In this example, he is driving forward in possession of the ball and as he attracts opposition defenders towards the ball he creates space for his teammate on the near side.
    Salama times the release of the ball right to play his teammate through and in for an opportunity on goal showing selfless attacking play.
    2. Julio Enciso – 84% xGOLD match
    Julio Enciso is a familiar fit to replace KaneCredit: Getty
    How Enciso compares to Kane on paper
    We all know that Brighton recruit very well and it is perhaps the obvious move to pick up the clubs latest impressive talent.
    And while there are many Spurs fans who would support a move for Japanese winger Karou Mitoma, it is actually Paraguayan Julio Enciso xGOLD believe to be a good replacement for Kane.
    Enciso, 18, is perhaps more of a second striker than Kane.
    But while Kane will start on the highest line and then drop deeper to link play Enciso will start deeper before moving higher.
    This means that the young Paraguayan actually performs a lot of the same actions on the pitch as Kane.
    Here Enciso drops deeper before unleashing a stunning strike into the top corner
    Enciso is very strong from a technical perspective and his movement is typically very intelligent as he understands how to drop away from markers to receive the ball in pockets of space.
    We see that in the above example where Enciso has dropped away from the area to receive the ball between the lines of the Chelsea defensive structure.
    As soon as he does so he turns and unleashes a superb strike at goal, outlining his ability to perform the spectacular.
    Enciso has proved he is very proficient in this role
    This is the lead up to another stunning strike from Enciso last season.
    Once again we see the teenager receive the ball in the kind of positions that we saw Kane take up last season.
    As Enciso receives the ball, again in space between the opposition defence, he immediately turns and drives towards the opposition goal before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner.
    1. Gift Orban – 86% xGOLD match
    Gift Orban is the number one pick to replace Kane at Spurs in our xGOLD algorithmCredit: AFP
    He is a close match to Kane
    The top match to Kane, which will probably please many Spurs fans, according to xGOLD is the 21-year-old Nigerian forward Gift Orban who currently plays in the Belgian top-flight with Gent.
    Gent only signed Orban in January of this year with a £3.3m deal being enough to take the Nigerian forward from the Norwegian second tier.
    Since then, Orban has exploded with 20 goals in 22 games in all competitions across the second half of the 2022/23 season.
    This season he has shown little interest in slowing down and he has started this term with five goals in five games.
    There is little doubt that of all of the players xGOLD has given us Orban is the most gifted natural goalscorer.
    Orban is threat from range
    Orban is a natural striker with the ability to score typical striker’s goals in and around the penalty area or to collect possession deeper before striking at goal from range.
    In the above example, we see Orban receive the ball deep inside the opposition half.
    He then cuts inside before striking with power from range past the opposition goalkeeper.
    While he is also able to sniff out goals in the box
    This time we see an example of Orban’s movement in the penalty area as he loses a marker and makes space to receive a cross to strike at goal.
    With the ball on the near side, Orban makes a clever double movement as he immediately moves towards the front post, making his marker follow him, before stopping the run and drifting backwards and into space.
    As the cross comes into the area Orban then has the space to finish with composure.
    What does this mean?
    xGOLD is clear that Orban of Gent is the closest match to Kane that Spurs can access in this window.
    Further video scouting sanity checked the fact that Orban is indeed a very, very interesting option for Tottenham.
    The career progression of the Nigerian has been incredible to date and he has taken each next step comfortably in his stride, having scored goals everywhere he has been.
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    But Spurs surely need to move quickly if they want to get a clear run at the signing, with interest in his services high.
    Get the latest digital magazine from Total Football Analysis – the August edition of “TFA Scouted” has 12 under-the-radar talents you need to be aware of PLUS 4 in-depth articles using some of the coolest data scouting football tools in the world. You get 2x magazines a month, 60+ new articles and the whole back catalogue for just £5.20 membership per month. More

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    Ange Postecoglou gives Spurs fans the transfer update NONE of them want to hear after Harry Kane exit

    TOTTENHAM manager Ange Postecoglou admits it is unlikely he will sign a replacement for Harry Kane.Kane has left a big void as he departed from Spurs after 19 years with the club and joined Bayern Munich following a £104million deal.
    Harry Kane left Tottenham after almost 20 years for Bayern MunichCredit: Rex
    Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou admitted he may not sign a replacement for KaneCredit: Rex
    The star striker left North London as the team’s record goalscorer after a staggering 280 goals in 435 appearances.
    But Postecoglou has stated he is not searching for the England captain’s successor after starting Richarlison up front during Tottenham’s Premier League kick-off at Brentford.
    The Australian tactician has instead prioritised outgoings as his squad is “too big” and won’t sign players “for the sake of it”.
    Postecoglou said: “We can’t just keep acquiring players when we’ve got too big of a squad as it is at the moment.
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    “It affects your training, it affects players themselves because ultimately they want to play and be involved.
    “It’s not so much one has to happen for the other but our focus at the moment is to try to trim the squad down and then see where that takes us in terms of reinforcements.
    “We’re constantly assessing that on a daily basis and there’s still two weeks to go in the window. I’m sure you’ll see some movements.”
    Postecoglou prefers to reinforce in defence and midfield ahead of transfer deadline day on September 1.
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    That’s after Tottenham signed James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon and Guglielmo Vicario.
    Postecoglou said when asked if a new striker is the club’s priority after Kane’s departure: “No, not necessarily.
    “I know that’s kind of the obvious place where people look at because of our recent outgoings but obviously we’ve been planning for that for a while.
    “There are other areas we can strengthen. Defensively, midfield, upfront.
    “That’s not just bringing players for the sake of it, they’ve got to fit the profile we’re looking at.” More

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    Harry Kane will START Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga opener as Tuchel reveals first impressions of England captain

    BAYERN MUNICH will unleash Harry Kane on Werder Bremen tomorrow in the opening match of the Bundesliga season.England captain Kane, a 64th minute substitute in Saturday’s 3-0 DFL-Supercup loss to Leipzig, goes straight into Bayern’s starting XI for the away match in northern Germany.
    Harry Kane joined Bayern Munich from Tottenham in a £104million dealCredit: Getty
    Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel gave him his debut for the club in their 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig in the DFL-SupercupCredit: Rex
    Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, whose club landed Kane from Spurs in a £104million deal, said: “There’s a lot of things going on around a transfer of this size – a lot of noise, distraction going on.
    “But once he steps out on the pitch I feel he will be very composed and very calm. 
    “I feel he has enjoyed training and being on the pitch with the guys was pretty impressive.
    “We managed to sign the skipper from England so this is kind of what you expect – but it’s still impressive when you see it and get it in real life.”
    READ MORE ON HARRY KANE
    He went on to say: “I have a big hope that Harry is the kind of guy that adapts very fast. He will be the kind of No 9 up front, a fixed point so players around him will adapt fast and I’m pretty sure our players will adapt and become better.
    “He will affect the defence. The opposition will focus on him so he will open spaces. He is not only a No 9 he can be between a 9 and 10 in the half spaces.
    “He gives us a lot of options and he has all the time to fully adapt but I’m sure he will.”
    Asked about having to deal with pressure, Tuchel added: “I don’t think it is going to be for the first time in his career he has had pressure so he will have to deal with that transfer in his performance and stay loose.
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    “It is not about life or death. The game is a competitive game and he has proved for 10 years how good he is.”
    Kane has joined the Bavarians after spending over ten years in the Tottenham Hotspur first team making 435 appearances.
    He also leaves as the club’s all-time top goal scorer having netted 280 times for the Lilywhites, 14 more than Jimmy Greaves.
    Despite his impressive record, the 30-year-old will be searching for his first career trophy during his spell in Germany.
    He was unable to lift any silverware during his time in North London and will be hoping that things will be different with 32-time Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
    Kane and his new teammates failed to do that immediately after losing in the DFL-Supercup, but the star striker seems to be calm about his new side succeeding.
    Speaking following the loss in his first press conference he said: “I wanted to come here and win last night but that wasn’t the case. It’s no time to panic, it’s a long season ahead. Thank you to the fans, hopefully I can give them some reasons to cheer over the season.” More

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    Premier League giants on transfer red alert as Ansu Fati ‘decides to LEAVE Barcelona’

    ANSU FATI is set to spark a Premier League scramble after deciding to leave Barcelona.Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked to making a move for the winger.
    Ansu Fati has decided to leave BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    And the Prem trio will be among clubs scrapping for the Spain international’s signature this summer.
    Fati, 20, burst onto the scene as a teenager three years ago, having been at Barcelona since he was nine.
    He is the youngest goal scorer in Champions League history, at the age of 17 years and 40 days.
    And he even inherited Lionel Messi’s iconic No 10 shirt with the Argentina legend left the club in 2021.
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    But Fati has slipped down the pecking order under boss Xavi.
    And Spanish publication AS report that the Guinea Bissau-born star now wants out.
    That represents a change of heart for Fati, who had been determined to earn his boss’ trust.
    But he was left on the bench for the disappointing 0-0 La Liga opener against Getafe.
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    And, to rub salt in the wound, he saw unknown kids Abde Ezzalzouli and Lamine Yamal come on ahead of him as Barca desperately hunted a winner.
    Fati was finally called on in the 79th minute, but failed to make an impact.
    And that appears to have been the final straw for Fati, as he looks to resurrect his career elsewhere.
    Atletico Madrid are reportedly also keen but have yet to contact Barcelona, meaning Prem sides can get a head start. More

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    James Maddison doesn’t need Harry Kane to take Dream Team by storm this season

    TOTTENHAM began the post-Harry Kane era with a 2-2 draw at Brentford on Sunday.Though the spoils were shared in west London, fans were generally happy with what they saw from Ange Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge.
    Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the fixture from a Dream Team perspective was the success of James Maddison (£4m).
    A hopeful startCredit: DREAM TEAM
    The 26-year-old claimed seven points by virtue of two assists amid a typically lively performance.
    For the first, he demonstrated his set-piece threat with a whipped free-kick onto the concussed head of Cristian Romero (£3.5m).
    The second was somewhat fortunate as Maddison shuffled the ball away half a second before he was clattered only for Emerson Royal (£3m) to collect and unleash a low finish past Mark Flekken (£2.5m) from outside the box.
    That’s not to say the England international didn’t deserve his rewards; it could be argued he’s been robbed of a fair few assists in recent years.
    Maddison’s play style is perfectly suited to Dream Team.
    As a genuine playmaker, he seems to be almost entirely preoccupied with either creating goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates or taking on a shot himself.
    One of Dream Team’s most-popular midfieldersCredit: Getty
    This season, with Dream Team rewarding players for big chances created and shots on target as well as goals and assists, Spurs’ new No10 should thrive.
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    The fear was that the departure of the club’s old No10 (and all-time record goalscorer) to Bayern Munich would hinder Maddison’s returns.
    A striker of Kane’s calibre is a dream focal point for creative midfielders but if Gameweek 1 is anything to go by, the ex-Leicester man will do just fine in Postecoglou’s set-up.
    And perhaps that’s what Dream Team bosses should have expected all along – he produced plentiful points even when most his Leicester team-mates were under par.
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    It may yet be the case that Spurs recruit a clinical finisher to lead the line before the transfer window closes – they’ve certainly got the cash.
    With an ownership of 14.8%, Maddison is currently the eighth-most popular asset in his position, a whisker ahead of Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) and Luis Diaz (£4m).
    Spurs host Manchester United in Gameweek 2 which is a difficult match-up on paper but Erik ten Hag’s allowed Wolves 23 shots at Old Trafford on Monday night.
    Looking further ahead, the north Londoners will face Bournemouth Fulham (Carabao Cup), Burnley and Sheffield United – a favourable run.

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    Micky van de Ven reckons Spurs can do beautiful things if they train hard under Postecoglou – and has studied Vertonghen

    MICKY VAN DE VEN reckons new club Tottenham can do some “beautiful things” under attack-minded boss Ange Postecoglou.Dutch defender VDV was chucked straight in for his debut at Brentford on Sunday.
    Ange Postecoglou earned a draw on his Premier League bow at BrentfordCredit: Rex
    That was despite only arriving from Wolfsburg for £43million five days prior and having only three days’ training.
    The 22-year-old coped well on the whole and showed signs of his lightning quick pace in the 2-2 draw.
    Though Spurs did not win their first competitive game under Postecoglou, fans were buoyed by the progressive style of play and were chanting their new boss’ name before half-time.
    Van de Ven was hugely impressed by the Greek-born Aussie during transfer talks and believes the future looks very bright.
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    Asked why he agreed to come to North London, Van de Ven replied: “Because it’s an amazing club. 
    “I had a good meeting with the trainer. He’s a really good trainer, I love the club, I love the players and I think there is so much potential under this trainer so we will see where this season heads.
    “(Postecoglou) has a good view on football. Attacking football is what I love, playing with a lot of space in the back doesn’t matter for me. 
    “Offensive football is what I like and if we play a lot of offensive football and we train, we train, we train then I think we can do some beautiful things.”
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    Van de Ven used to watch Spurs regularly because of all the players who joined them from the big Dutch clubs.
    Among those are Christian Eriksen, who arrived from Ajax in 2013, and Steven Bergwijn, who was bought from PSV seven years later.
    Van de Ven has already drawn comparisons from supporters to left-sided centre-back Jan Vertonghen.
    The Belgian, 36, also signed from Ajax in 2012 and went on to make 315 Spurs appearances.
    And Van de Ven revealed he has studied Vertonghen’s game as part of his own development.
    The youngster said: “I was always in the stadium when Jan Vertonghen was playing for Ajax so I always saw him play and always said he was a good left-footed centre-back. 
    “Of course I learned some from him as I watched videos of him, so of course I learned from him.”
    Van de Ven made 33 appearances last term for Wolfsburg where he was dubbed the fastest centre-back in the Bundesliga.
    He also captained the Netherlands at this summer’s Under-21 Euros in Georgia in Romania.
    Yet his bow in the relentless Premier League was a step-up.
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    Reflecting on his new league having experienced it for the first time, Van de Ven said: “Everything is harder, it’s going quicker and it’s going up and down, up and down. 
    “There is no moment in the game where you feel you can rest a bit, you always have to be sharp and 100 per cent focused.” More

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    England captain Harry Kane’s new baby could be born in Munich – and eligible to play for GERMANY

    ENGLAND captain Harry Kane’s new baby could be born in Munich — and­ ­eligible to play for Germany.Bayern’s £104m striker, 30, said his fourth tot is due in two weeks.
    Harry Kane’s new baby could be born in Munich — and­ ­eligible to play for GermanyCredit: Bayern Munich
    Pregnant wife Kate scouted hospitals in a secret visit to the city last monthCredit: Getty
    The England captain revealed Kate, 30, was due to give birth in a couple of weeksCredit: Getty
    The England skipper admitted there was a “lot going on” as he discussed his whirlwind £104million transfer from Tottenham.
    He revealed wife Kate, 30, was due to give birth in a couple of weeks but refused to say where, saying: “We’ll do whatever works best for us as a family.”
    However, sources said Kate scouted homes – and hospitals – in a secret visit to Munich at the end of July, and the baby could be born in the German city.
    He or she would then be eligible to hold dual nationality — and could choose to play for England or their great footballing rivals.
    READ MORE ON HARRY KANE
    A source said: “Kate flew out to Munich to do a recce at the end of last month as the deal got closer.
    “They knew that if it got over the line they’d need to be able to ­relocate very quickly.
    “Kate looked at homes but also visited a couple of private hospitals.
    “It’s unlikely Harry will be able to simply fly back to England for the birth and he won’t want to miss it.
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    “So Munich is a very real possibility and they have to be prepared for that.”
    Kane has “17.08.2023” stitched into his boots, sparking speculation it was the baby’s due date.
    Kate, seen cradling her bump yesterday, watched her hubby’s debut on Saturday — when he came on as a 64th-minute sub in a 3-0 thumping by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup.
    Speaking at length for the first time about his move, Kane said yesterday: “Kate was in the stadium to watch my debut, with her family, my mum and dad and brother.
    Kane admitted there was a ‘lot going on’ as he discussed his £104million transfer from TottenhamCredit: Getty
    His baby would be eligible to hold dual nationality if born in MunichCredit: Getty
    “It will be something we’ll all remember for ever.
    “I’ve got another baby due in a couple of weeks and there’s a lot going on but my family are fully behind me.”
    Kane revealed he will be signing up for language lessons, and admitted the only word he had learned so far was “servus” – a term for hello and goodbye.
    He said: “Of course, I’m going to try and learn the language. I want to try and embrace the culture, embrace the country.
    “I’m going to have lessons at least once or twice a week to try and pick that up a bit.
    “We have a lot of English-speaking players and staff as well which helps me, but ­ultimately I want to learn to fit in as much as possible
    “The best way of doing that is understanding the language. It will be tough.
    “It is a tough language to learn but it’s something I want to try to do.
    “I’ve only been here for two days, I’ve had one training ­session and one game, so I’m still getting to know the players.
    “I’ve heard great things about the city and I’m sure I’ll get time to explore it, go out for coffee and dinner and meet some of the fans.”
    Kane said Kate and their three young kids, Ivy, Vivienne and Louis, would fly back to the UK today.
    But they first plan to look at houses in posh Munich suburb Grunewald – known as Little Hollywood.
    He said: “Two days ago I was ­sitting in London not quite knowing how it was going to go.
    “The kids don’t know too much about what’s going on. For them it probably feels like a vacation.
    “I’m sure I’ll have time to explain to them. We need to find houses, find properties. We’re not sure how it’s going to work yet.”
    Kane hopes to lead England to victory in the Euros in Germany next summer, and revealed he had received a congratulatory text from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
    He said they will speak “when things have calmed down”.
    Kane is expected to start on ­Friday in Bayern’s first league game of the season against Werder Bremen.
    He is hoping to lead the German giants’ charge for silverware – after his first attempt ended in disappointment at the Allianz Arena.
    Max Eberl, sporting director of Bayern’s conquerors RB Leipzig, said: “It’s almost too much what Harry Kane is being saddled with, almost like a Messiah walking on water.”
    Kane said it was “not time to panic” and he would bring leadership to the squad.
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    According to the Federal Foreign Office, a child born in Germany can gain citizenship even if both parents are English.
    But one of them must have an unlimited residence permit for at least three years. Kane ­qualifies as he has a four-year deal with Bayern.
    The ace has ‘17.08.2023’ stitched into his boots, sparking speculation it was the baby’s due dateCredit: Chris Eades
    Kane is to start on ­Friday in Bayern’s first league game of the season against Werder BremenCredit: Bayern Munich
    Kane hopes to lead England to victory in the Euros in Germany next summer More