Bayern Munich has only just returned from winter break training in Doha, Qatar, where 18-year-old Alphonso Davies got his first taste of action with the Bavarian giants. The $22 million Canadian international had a breakthrough 2018 with the Vancouver Whitecaps — scoring eight goals, being named to the MLS All-Star Game and receiving Vancouver’s Player of the Year award — and his immense talent has already impressed the likes of Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Niklas Sule and, most importantly, boss Niko Kovac.
With regards to making his Bayern debut, Kovac isn’t hesitant. “We need quality, that’s why he is here and the sooner the better,” said Bayern’s coach.
Bayern returns to action on Jan. 18 with a Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim, and that’s followed by league games against Stuttgart (Jan. 27), Leverkusen (Feb. 2) and then a DFB-Pokal Third Round match against Hertha Berlin (Feb. 6).
With regards to competition for wide places at Bayern, Davies faces stern rivals in the form of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman.
However, Robben is 34 and prone to injury. Ribery is 35 and will now be sidelined for a couple weeks after injurying his hamstring in Doha. Coman is just 22, but the talented Frenchman has recently revealed that he’ll contemplate retirement if his ankle injuries persist — he’s missed significant time in each of the last three seasons due to the issue. Essentially, three out of Bayern's four wingers need their game time managed prudently.
Gnabry has started more Bundesliga matches than any of the other wide players, and he has four goals and two assists in 14 games — numbers that don’t really stack up with what Robben and Ribery used to accomplish for Bayern.
Davies is going to get his chance to impress, and he’s going to get it quickly.
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