Gnabry backs Harry Kane to end England’s 25-year Ballon d’Or wait

Harry Kane has already delivered enough to end a quarter-century wait for an English Ballon d’Or winner. That is the view of his Bayern Munich teammate Serge Gnabry, who sees the striker as a leading candidate for the award to be handed out in London on Monday. Kane arrives at the ceremony after a stunning season of 73 goals for club and country.

• Serge Gnabry says teammate Harry Kane deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
• Kane scored 73 goals last season for Bayern Munich and England.
• Michael Owen was the last English winner of the trophy, back in 2001.
• Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are among his main competitors.
• Bayern host Arsenal with doubts over Vincent Kompany’s presence on the bench.

Gnabry makes the case for Kane and the Ballon d’Or

The Bayern Munich dressing room is not hiding its desire to see Harry Kane lift the Ballon d’Or. Gnabry, a former Arsenal winger, was clear when discussing his teammate’s chances. "It would be lovely, you always wish it for a team-mate of yours to have that success or to get that trophy," the German said.

The winger acknowledged there are many factors to weigh when deciding such a prestigious prize, but he did not hesitate to give his verdict. "Has he done enough? I think you always talk about a lot of different markers as to what is needed to win the Ballon d’Or. But he had an incredible year, so for me of course he’s done enough," Gnabry added.

The last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or

English football has gone nearly 25 years without a male Ballon d’Or winner. Michael Owen claimed the prize in 2001 during his dazzling spell at Liverpool, and no England-born player has reached the top of the podium since. Before Owen, only Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan had managed that feat.

Kane, the England captain, now wants to join that elite group. His first season in Germany smashed records and cemented his reputation as one of the most reliable strikers on the planet, even though the major team title with Bayern slipped away again.

Who stands in Kane’s way for the award

The road to the Ballon d’Or will not be easy for Harry Kane. He faces elite competition, with Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe among the main challengers in the voting. The ceremony in London on Monday will settle the debate.

I am really biased because I am an Englishman but for me to work with Harry is a privilege. His all-round game is at such a high level. He can be our best defender in training if he wants. He can be our best playmaker. He can go and score goals.

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal: Kane faces a familiar opponent

On Wednesday night, Kane will have another chance to shine in the Champions League against an opponent he knows inside out. The Allianz Arena hosts Arsenal, the club that shaped so much of his Premier League career. The striker has scored 15 goals against the Gunners, 14 of them in a Tottenham shirt.

The 33-year-old is relishing the occasion. "When you’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe, you always have to savour moments like this. We’re up for the challenge. We’re playing here at home – the energy, the fans – it’s sure to be a special night," he told the club’s official channels.

Bayern’s doubts: Kompany, Kimmich and Neuer

The build-up to the match has not been without setbacks for Bayern. Head coach Vincent Kompany has been dealing with a virus that kept him away from training and pre-match media duties. His presence on the touchline is uncertain, and if he cannot make it, assistant coach Aaron Danks will take charge.

Danks, who previously worked at Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, already stepped in when Kompany served a suspension against Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League semi-finals. "Vince has had a virus and it’s been really important that he rests, and getting Vince to rest is a difficult challenge," the assistant said.

Confirmed absences and players under assessment

Michael Olise is ruled out through suspension following the red card he received in last week’s 3-3 draw against Norwegian side Viking. Joshua Kimmich is a doubt after missing training for personal reasons, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be assessed before kick-off.