Harry Kane, the superstar striker for Bayern Munich and captain of the England national team, says playing against Chelsea in the Champions League gives him “extra motivation.” The 32-year-old forward admitted that the long-standing London rivalry, which started during his Tottenham Hotspur days, still fires him up every time he faces Chelsea.
On Tuesday, Harry Kane spoke to reporters in Munich ahead of Bayern’s big Champions League opener against Chelsea. With a confident smile, he explained that the rivalry always brings something extra out of him.
“The rivalry was a good rivalry, especially early in my Tottenham career during the Pochettino era. We had a lot of good games, tough games against each other,” Kane said.
And he’s not wrong. Harry Kane faced Chelsea 22 times as a Spurs player, winning 7 of those matches and scoring 8 goals. That’s a pretty solid record, considering how fierce and difficult those London derbies usually are.
Harry Kane’s Journey: From Spurs to Bayern
Kane shocked the football world in 2023 when he left Tottenham Hotspur to join Bayern Munich in Germany’s Bundesliga. For years, he was Tottenham’s main man, scoring over 280 goals in all competitions for Spurs and becoming their all-time top scorer. But there was always one thing missing: trophies.
Despite being one of the world’s best strikers, Kane never won a team trophy at Tottenham. That changed after his move to Bayern. In his very first season in Germany, he lifted the Bundesliga trophy, finally adding silverware to his collection.
Since then, Kane has been nothing short of unstoppable in front of goal. He has scored an incredible 93 goals in 101 games for Bayern in all competitions. That’s a goal-scoring rate that puts him among the very best in Europe right now.
“I don’t think I expected it. I always back myself to score goals but I didn’t know how it would go,” Harry Kane admitted. “The style suits me well. I’ve got a lot of confidence right now and I’m physically and mentally strong.”
Why the Chelsea Rivalry Still Matters
Even though Kane no longer plays in the Premier League, the rivalry with Chelsea is still alive. For Harry Kane, these kinds of matches bring extra energy.
“I think playing against Premier League opposition, there’s always a little more expectation around the game,” he said. “Maybe the Chelsea fans don’t like me as much. And when we play Arsenal, maybe the Arsenal fans don’t like me as much. That makes me want to play better, that motivates me.”
This shows just how deeply rivalries in soccer can impact players. It’s not just about the tactics on the pitch—it’s also about pride, history, and fan emotions. Chelsea and Spurs have been rivals for decades, and Harry Kane was right in the middle of that battle for most of his career.
Now, when he faces Chelsea in the Champions League, it feels like a continuation of that rivalry—but on an even bigger stage.
Soccer Facts: Kane vs Chelsea
Appearances: 22 matches for Tottenham against Chelsea.
Goals Scored: 8 goals.
Wins: 7 wins.
Notable Moment: Harry Kane scored a memorable penalty in the 2019 Carabao Cup semifinal against Chelsea.
These stats show that Harry Kane knows what it’s like to face Chelsea in big games, and he often delivers.
Bayern’s Champions League Ambitions
Bayern Munich are six-time Champions League winners, but last season they fell short in Europe. Club official Uli Hoeness recently suggested that Bayern might not be among the top favorites this year. But Harry Kane disagrees.
“When you’re at a club like Bayern Munich, there’s an expectation to win the best competitions—and the Champions League especially,” Harry Kane said. “Ultimately, if we don’t win it, there’s always going to be a bit of disappointment. So I wouldn’t say we’re underdogs.”
This confidence makes sense. Bayern are stacked with talent, from Germany’s star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to young superstar Jamal Musiala. Add in Kane’s finishing ability, and they look like a serious threat in Europe again.
Soccer News Combo: Kane’s Form + Chelsea’s Struggles
The timing of this matchup is interesting because both clubs are in different places right now.
Bayern’s Form: With Harry Kane scoring almost every game, Bayern have been dominating in the Bundesliga. They remain favorites to win the league again.
Chelsea’s Struggles: Chelsea, meanwhile, have had a rough few seasons in the Premier League. They’ve changed managers multiple times and are still rebuilding their squad after expensive signings didn’t bring the expected results.
This contrast adds more spice to the Champions League clash. It’s Harry Kane, one of the most in-form strikers in the world, against a Chelsea team trying to prove they can compete again in Europe.
Why Rivalries Push Players to the Next Level
Kane’s comments also highlight a bigger point about soccer: rivalries often bring out the best in players.
Think about some of the greatest soccer rivalries in history:
El Clásico (Barcelona vs Real Madrid): Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo pushed each other to record-breaking levels when they were both in Spain.
Manchester United vs Liverpool: Matches between these clubs are always fierce, no matter the league position.
Milan Derby (AC Milan vs Inter): The whole city of Milan comes alive when these two face off.
For Kane, playing against Chelsea or Arsenal during his Tottenham years gave him that extra motivation. Even now, in Germany, those old feelings haven’t gone away.
Harry Kane’s Legacy: Already Among the Best
At 32 years old, Kane is in the prime of his career. He’s already England’s all-time leading scorer with over 60 international goals, passing legends like Wayne Rooney. In club football, he’s closing in on 400 career goals.
If he can lead Bayern to a Champions League trophy, it would cement his legacy as one of the greatest strikers of his generation.
For young soccer fans, Kane is a perfect example of hard work and consistency. He wasn’t an overnight superstar—he went out on multiple loans early in his career before finally breaking into Tottenham’s first team. Now, he’s one of the most reliable goal scorers in the world.
What to Expect in Bayern vs Chelsea
When Bayern face Chelsea in their Champions League opener, here are some things to look out for:
Harry Kane’s Finishing: He’ll be the main goal threat for Bayern, especially in tight matches.
Chelsea’s Defense: Can they stop one of the hottest strikers in Europe right now?
Midfield Battle: Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich vs Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández could decide who controls the pace.
The Atmosphere: With fans filling the Allianz Arena in Munich, the energy will be electric.
This game is more than just another Champions League group stage match—it’s about history, rivalries, and pride.
Final Thoughts
Harry Kane may be far from London now, but rivalries don’t fade easily. Facing Chelsea still brings out the fighter in him. With his amazing form at Bayern and his determination to shine against Premier League opponents, he will definitely be the player to watch in this clash.
Soccer is about passion, competition, and stories that connect past and present. Kane’s rivalry with Chelsea is proof of how those stories never really end—they just continue on new stages. And for Kane, that stage is now the Champions League, where he’ll try to add another chapter to his legendary career.