GOAL runs through the best and worst of British players plying their trade on foreign soil after the second week of the new European season
Now more than ever, British players are finding that the grass can be greener elsewhere. The lure of the Premier League remains grand, but it's not the be-all and end-all.
In fact, some of the home nations' biggest stars have decided to take their talents abroad to the mainland continent and beyond. England's captain is in the Bundesliga, two of their other best players are at Santiago Bernabeu, and there's now even one at the rebuilt Camp Nou.
European football is back underway for 2025-26, and this season, GOAL will be breaking down the winners and losers each week from the Britons who are making a living away from home. Here's our round-up after a weekend that saw the curtain raised in both the Bundesliga and Serie A…
WINNER: Harry Kane
Fresh from winning his second piece of career silverware in the form of the German Supercup, Harry Kane led the line for Bayern Munich once again in their Bundesliga opener against RB Leipzig on Friday, and laid down an emphatic marker to his rivals for the top-scorer prize. The England captain is bidding to land that award in Germany for the third year in a row, and he's already out in front again after hitting a stunning hat-trick to help Bayern demolish Leipzig 6-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Vincent Kompany's side raced into a three-goal lead before the break thanks to a brace from Michael Olise and a fine debut strike from summer signing Luis Diaz before Kane took centre-stage in the second half, making it four by firing through Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi's legs just after the hour mark. He doubled his account in the 74th minute, finding the bottom right-hand corner with a brilliant shot from a difficult angle, and produced a perfect first-time finish to complete his treble moments later after being teed up by substitute Kim Min-jae.
That was Kane's eighth hat-trick for Bayern since his move from Tottenham, more than any other player in Europe's top-five leagues has managed in the same timeframe. It was arguably his best yet, too, given the unerring quality of each goal and the standard of the opposition.
“We wanted to send a statement from the first game at home, and that’s what we did today,” the 32-year-old told reporters after the game. “We performed at a very high level and were efficient. We won 6-0 so we can’t complain. After half-time, we were 3-0 up, I said to myself that I need to get on the scoresheet.”
It's that insatiable hunger for goals that makes Kane the best striker in the business. He seems to be ageing like a fine wine, and that's great news for Bayern as they aim for Bundesliga and Champions League glory over the next 10 months.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford's La Liga debut for Barcelona against Mallorca last week only lasted 20 minutes, but Hansi Flick handed the Manchester United loanee his first start away at Levante on Saturday. Flick moved Raphinha into the No.10 role so that Rashford could line up on the left flank, and the 27-year-old showed plenty of confidence right from the off, attacking his marker at every opportunity.
Rashford attempted five dribbles in total and made two key passes, losing possession only six times, but mustered just one shot at goal. His end product was sorely lacking, and Flick took the England international off for Dani Olmo at the half-time interval after Barca had fallen two goals behind.
It proved to be an inspired change as the visitors staged a remarkable second-half comeback. The balance in attack was far better with Raphinha back out wide and Olmo in the centre, with goals from Pedri and Ferran Torres bringing Barca level within seven minutes of the restart, before a stoppage-time own goal from Unai Elgezabal handed Flick's team a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Rashford would no doubt have had mixed emotions on the final whistle. He tried to make things happen and appeared to have an instant rapport with left-back Alejandro Balde, but dislodging Raphinha permanently looks like a tall order. Flick admitted as much, telling after the win: "I think Marcus had some situations in the first half where he showed how good he is and how he can help us. This is where we have to continue. Of course, the second half, we have to change something. Raphinha on the [left] side is our No.11. He knows everything [about how we play]; what we want to do when he has to come inside. I think we got the right changes."
It remains to be seen if Rashford can reach the same level as the Brazilian. For now, at least, he will have to make do with a back-up role in this swashbuckling Barca team.
WINNER: Scott McTominay
Serie A's Most Valuable Player for 2024-25 is back at it again! Scott McTominay needed only 16 minutes to score his first goal of the new season for Napoli in their opening game against Sassuolo, powering home a brilliant header after stooping to meet a teasing Matteo Politano cross from the right wing.
The ex-Manchester United midfielder, who has just been nominated for the Ballon d'Or, nearly added a second just before the break, but saw his lovely curling effort cannon out of play off the top of the crossbar. Napoli did extend their advantage eventually, via a free-kick from new signing Kevin De Bruyne, and closed out a comfortable 2-0 win after Sassuolo were reduced to 10 men late on.
McTominay paid tribute to "great guy" De Bruyne after the contest, but the Scot pipped the Manchester City legend to the Player of the Match prize, and deservedly so. He posted a 90 per cent pass completion rate and won eight ground duels in an all-action performance that sums up why the Napoli faithful have taken the 28-year-old into their hearts.
Despite the summer additions of De Bruyne, Noa Lang and Sam Beukema, McTominay remains the main man in Antonio Conte's line up. He is an expert disruptor in the middle of the park and a constant threat in the final third; exactly the kind of player United are now missing under Ruben Amorim.
It would be no surprise if McTominay betters his haul of 16 Serie A goal involvements from last term, and he could also be the difference-maker for Napoli when they return to the Champions League stage next month. In the words of Conte, McTominay is a "fighter" with a "devastating" skillset who has found his spiritual home in Naples.
WINNER: Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah left Liverpool after nearly 17 years on the Anfield books to join Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer, which was a very brave move. The 22-year-old's development stalled after Arne Slot's arrival as Liverpool head coach last year, and he is now bidding to get back on track in a new country under the stewardship of former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
As first impressions go, Quansah could hardly have made a better one. The towering centre-back put Leverkusen ahead inside six minutes of their clash with Hoffenheim at Bay Arena on Saturday, heading an Alejandro Grimaldo free-kick into the far corner after ghosting into the middle of the box. Quansah then ran to the corner flag and copied Diogo Jota's trademark 'gamer' celebration in a moving tribute to his late ex-Liverpool team-mate. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Leverkusen on what turned out to be a hugely frustrating afternoon.
Hoffenheim fought back to win the game 2-1 as Leverkusen struggled to create any further clear chances, and it's already patently obvious that Ten Hag won't be able to keep the club on Bayern's heels at the top of the Bundesliga table after seeing key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Granit Xhaka move on to pastures new.
Quansah's assured display in the heart of the defence was, however, a major positive. He won five of his six ground duels and recorded a passing accuracy of 85%, displaying real strength and composure on and off the ball. With regular minutes now guaranteed, the England Under-21 international should be targeting a place in the senior national team, even if Leverkusen continue to struggle for proper rhythm as a collective.
