When Harry Kane signed a four-year contract with Bayern Munich this summer, he was assumed to be the centre of a project that would thrive in Europe for an extended period. The team around him was full of international stars.
Alphonso Davies, Canada captain, was at left-back. Joshua Kimmich, Germany stalwart, played in the middle. Matthijs de Ligt, Holland's next great centre-back, anchored the defence. Sprinkle in Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala for good measure and the Bavarians had a team ready to compete for it all.
So far, things are trending the right way. Bayern are strong all over the pitch, while Kane could - and likely will - break the Bundesliga single-season goalscoring record. Bayer Leverkusen may be top of the table, but Bayern are perfectly placed to pounce should Xabi Alonso's side slip up.
However, there are issues behind the scenes. Contract uncertainty has thrown the Bayern careers of Davies, De Ligt and Kimmich into jeopardy, with all three potentially facing exits within the next 18 months. Manager Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, has been unable to get the best out of a handful of potentially valuable attacking players. It all amounts to a team on tenterhooks, in danger of falling apart around Kane, the summer signing that was supposed to propel it to the next level.