There’s definitely a little bit of jealousy when it comes to thinking about the quality of player that Canada possesses here, but on the whole, it’s incredible seeing 18-year-old Alphonso Davies training alongside Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller at Bayern’s legendary Säbener Strasse training facility.
We try to keep up with all things Christian Pulisic and Chucky Lozano here at The18, and the CONCACAF reporting bond will only grow stronger with Davies in Bavaria.
The most expensive product in the history of Major League Soccer — Davies could cost Bayern up to $22 million if certain performance-related bonuses are met — joined up with his teammates for the first time on Thursday, and although he’s not eligible to play for the club until January, Bayern manager Niko Kovač has already hinted at the players readiness for first team action.
“He’s a very talented young player who drew interest from more than just Bayern,” Kovač said. “We’re very happy to have signed such a diamond in the rough. Of course, we can’t overexpose him. But he’s definitely a player we have earmarked for the first team.”
Hey there Phonzie
Today was @AlphonsoDavies' first day in MunichMore to follow... #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/LTfFXrOH8p
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) November 20, 2018
Although Davies only turned 18 at the beginning of November, he was perhaps the most exciting winger in all of MLS throughout the 2018 season. Davies scored eight goals and added nine assists in 31 appearances for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and his average of 4.2 successful dribbles per game was best in the league (Ignacio Piatti was second with 3.8, Darwin Quintero third with 3.7).
This Alphonso Davies kid pic.twitter.com/GLvT9Wi2In
— Conman Fleming (@ConmanFleming) July 29, 2018
A thing of beauty.@AlphonsoDavies scores his first of the game.#FarewellPhonzie pic.twitter.com/TY1NiHMQKv
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) October 28, 2018
With Bayern currently sitting fifth in the Bundesliga table, there is the worry that Davies’ first manager in Bavaria could be sacked before he’s even eligible to play. However, Bayern is through to the Round of 16 in the DFB-Pokal and currently leads Champions League Group E with 10 points from four matches (Ajax sits second with eight).
Davies’ primary position with Vancouver was on the left wing, but he’s also capable of playing on the right-hand side. Over the last decade, Robben (age 34) and Franck Ribery (35) have given Bayern the greatest wide duo in the world, and so while Davies will have enormous shoes to fill, he’ll certainly get his chance while also competing for minutes alongside Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman.
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