Who is Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich’s Canadian Superstar?
19-year-old Canadian superstar, Alphonso Davies, joined Bayern Munich in 2019, and quickly consolidated himself as one of Bayern’s irremovable pillars.
Alphonso Davies signed for Bayern Munich from the Vancouver Whitecaps in the summer of 2018 in a US$22-million transfer deal, an MLS record at the time. Davies’ contract tied him to the Bavarians until 2023 He started to train with his new team in November after the end of the Whitecaps season.
Davies’ debut for the first team happened just 26 days after when Bayern faced VfB Stuttgart in a 4-1 victory under Croatian ex-coach Niko Kovac. Alphonso didn’t take long to score for Bayern, his first goal for the club came on the 26th matchday in the Bundesliga against Mainz 05.
Although Davies’ natural position is as a winger, he quickly was placed as left-back and stayed there. This position change in the field helped him take advantage of his speed, his strong playing style, and his dribbling skills produce more goalscoring chances. It was changing his position to a left-back allowed Austrian teammate David Alaba to play as a center-back.
More from Bundesliga
- Modern football’s disruptors: The remarkable rise of Union Berlin
- Bayern Munich emerge victorious following dramatic title race
- Following December knee injury, Manuel Neuer back to light training
- Assessing Bayern Munich’s recent uncharacteristic struggles
- Bayern Munich explain Julian Nagelsmann sacking
This change in place was one of the wisest choices that were done by the current coach Hansi Flick. The difference in positioning in the field, Davies has received a high prize from many players, coaches and is on the road to becoming one of the best left-backs in the world.
Since joining Bayern, the Canadian superstar has two goals in total and has provided seven assists in 36 games for the Bavarians. Davies’ speed has had opposing defenders catch up to him, his quickness in counter-attacks tears defensive lineups apart.
Alphonso Davies had an incredible performance vs. Chelsea in the Champions League Round of 16, including assisting Robert Lewandowski for Bayern’s third goal. After a fantastic run dribbling the ball past at least three defenders to make his way straight into the box and just set Lewandowski entirely for him to tap it in.
Davies’ performances and consistency made the club realize that he needed to stay a little longer than what his contract stated. In April 2020, Bayern Munich extended Davies’ contract for two more years tying him until June 2025. Alphonso Davies said upon signing his new contract with the club, “FC Bayern has always been good to me,” said Davies, “From day one when I came in, I knew they were a top team. Being able to extend my contract and secure my future- it’s a dream come true.”
Next. Erling Haaland: Everyone needs to stay at Dortmund. dark
Davies will soon be one of the best left-backs the world, within the time of conquering more titles with Bayern his playing style could make him move out of the German powerhouse. For now, the Bavarians will enjoy him for years to come, and potentially establishing as a Munich legend.