Harry Kane could become the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim the Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual prize, and to do it in his native London. The Bayern Munich striker is approaching October's ceremony with real anticipation and no little optimism. "I come from London and lived there for a long time – maybe that's a good omen," Kane reflected when the conversation turned to the venue.
Before then, the England striker faces some serious tests at club level. Aside from the visit of his old north London rivals Arsenal to the Allianz Arena, he must travel to Stavanger to face Norwegian side Viking on an artificial pitch, a surface he has not played on since 2017. His form could hardly be better. Kane needed just 98 matches to reach 100 Bundesliga goals, the fastest century the league has ever seen.
