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 EXCLUSIEF

Okocha: Kane arrival is the missing piece for Bayern
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Cian Cheesbrough
LiveScore
Harry Kane has scored seven goals in his first five Bundesliga appearances
Harry Kane has scored seven goals in his first five Bundesliga appearances

Jay-Jay Okocha says Harry Kane is the "missing piece" Bayern Munich have been searching for.

The England captain has made a superb start to life in Bavaria since leaving boyhood club Tottenham, scoring seven goals in his first five Bundesliga games ahead of Saturday's trip to RB Leipzig.

Nigerian legend Okocha, speaking on behalf of the Bundesliga, exclusively told LiveScore: "They [Bayern] have started the season very well, which would have been expected.

"It looks like the missing piece of the puzzle has been found in Kane. It's amazing how he's blended into the team.

"It might be the difference for Bayern because they've been starved of a striker since [Robert] Lewandowski left. 

"So I think Kane's impact might be crucial for them."

Harry Kane has made a superb start to life in the Bundesliga
Harry Kane has made a superb start to life in the Bundesliga

Trophy target

Having enjoyed domestic dominance across the last 11 Bundesliga seasons, Bayern are aiming to reclaim the Champions League title they last won in 2020.

With Kane now in their ranks, Okocha believes a seventh European crown is well within their reach. 

He added: "I think that [winning the Champions League] should be the main objective of signing him because they've been dominating in the Bundesliga.

"If he gets the service he needs, I have no doubt they will go very far. Whether they go on and win it, I don't know yet, it's a bit early to say.

"They got off to a very good start by beating Manchester United. But I think it's still a bit too early to say."

Boniface battle

Victor Boniface is impressing in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen
Victor Boniface is impressing in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen

Kane is not the only striker to make a flying start in the Bundesliga, with Okocha's Nigerian compatriot Victor Boniface netting six times for Bayer Leverkusen already this term.

The 22-year-old joins the likes of Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi as part of a growing list of exciting Super Eagles forwards starring in Europe.

Okocha added: "He's [Boniface] been amazing. It's always great to see one of our own doing well. 

"He gives us hope. It shows we are not short of talent. We [Nigeria] just need to get our act together!

"It is an exciting time for Nigerian football and the good thing is their ages, some of them haven't even hit their prime yet.

"It's now about finding a way to getting the best out of them when they come to play for Nigeria."

Premier League vs Bundesliga

Jay-Jay Okocha starred in the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt
Jay-Jay Okocha starred in the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt

Okocha broke on to the European scene in the Bundesliga, spending four seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt between 1992 and 1996.

Later becoming a Premier League icon during his time with Bolton, the former trickster is well versed in both the English and German top flights and believes the latter gives youngsters like Boniface an easier platform to develop.

Okocha said: "The German League, it's a bit more complete. They play good football and score a lot of goals.

"The thing I find most attractive is that they encourage young players. They give you the time to build and time to mature.

"In the Premier League, it's all about the result. The demand is so high that you don't have time to settle and you have to start getting results immediately. 

"The pressure is enormous and that makes the Premier League more demanding.

"I felt at home in both leagues but I think the Bundesliga gave me the experience that I needed as a young player to understand what it takes to become a proper professional.

"I think that was what helped me throughout my career." 

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Tags

Harry KaneBayern MunichBundesligaNigeriaVictor Okoh BonifaceBayer Leverkusen
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