Harry Kane says Chelsea's dislike fuels him ahead of Bayern Munich Champions League opener

Harry Kane said the hostility he still receives from Chelsea supporters will provide extra motivation as he prepares to face his former Premier League rivals in Bayern Munich's Champions League opener at the Allianz Arena.

The England captain, who scored eight times against Chelsea during his Tottenham Hotspur career, told reporters at Bayern's training ground that memories of tough encounters in the Mauricio Pochettino era add a "little something special" to the match and strengthen his desire to perform.

"The rivalry was a good rivalry we had, especially early on in my Tottenham career," Kane said. "We had a lot of tough games, good games against each other. Playing against Premier League opposition, there's always maybe a little bit more expectation around the game. Obviously, maybe the Chelsea fans don't like me as much, and obviously Arsenal fans don't like me as much, but that makes me want to play better, that motivates me."

Kane added that facing several familiar players, including some he has teamed with for England, contributes to the occasion. "Being at the Allianz, having an English team here, as a team we like to try and stamp our authority on the game, and we'll try and do that. But we’re playing against a very good side, so we have to be at 100 per cent," he said.

The conversation also touched on Michael Olise, who Chelsea had previously pursued from Crystal Palace in two separate transfer windows before the winger signed for Bayern last summer for a fee reported at £50 million. "I'm glad Michael is with us and not with them," Kane said.

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany said he spoke with loanee Nicolas Jackson about his parent club but that the conversation largely confirmed the assessments his staff had already produced. Kompany said he had watched "probably 40 games of Chelsea last season combined," including matches observed while both clubs were involved in the Club World Cup, and did not expect many tactical surprises.

"Last season, Chelsea were also just an interesting team to observe," Kompany said. "I don't have the feeling that it's a team that will deliver a lot of mysteries. I happen to know the coach as well. But of course, you have the conversation (with Jackson). After a few moments, you realise that you've done your homework well or not. And it's nothing more than that. Never forget, I like keeping this at the centre, we have our ideas, we have our tactics, we have everything. But in the end, it's the players. The players have to show their personality in these games to make a difference. That's what they need to feel."

Kane's remarks underline the ongoing narrative that often surrounds marquee European fixtures involving English clubs and high-profile players who have spent much of their careers in the Premier League. His move from Tottenham to Bayern in 2023 ended a prolonged pursuit of a major trophy at club level and set up repeated encounters with former domestic adversaries in continental competition.

Chelsea, under a new coaching structure, have been active in the transfer market as they rebuild a squad that has undergone significant turnover in recent seasons. The Blues' interest in Olise and the presence of players such as Jackson on loan highlight the fluidity of squad composition ahead of a campaign in which European competition returns attention to matchups with familiar opponents.

Bayern enter the Champions League opener determined to assert control at home but mindful of Chelsea's qualities. Both clubs face scrutiny over how quickly recent summer recruits will integrate and whether managers can translate training-ground plans into decisive performances on the night.

Kane and Kompany framed the fixture as one that mixes sporting stakes with personal history, with the Bayern manager stressing preparation and player personality as the decisive factors. The match at the Allianz Arena will test whether those preparations and motivations translate into the desired result for the defending Bundesliga champions.