Davies declares himself dissatisfied with fullback role

In an interview with a somewhat obscure German podcast, Canadian superstar Alphonso Davies has dropped something of a bombshell when it comes to his current role with the German giants. 

Amid broken off contract negotiations and a few early exit links, Canadian superstar Alphonso Davies has admitted that he did not appreciate the manner in which he has been typecast as a left-back with the mighty German giants. The 22-year-old Canadian international, initially signed as a straight winger in the winter of 2019, was initially moved to the back-four by then FCB head-coach Niko Kovac after an injury to David Alaba left Kovac without a natural left back.

Three successive Bayern trainers – Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, and Thomas Tuchel – have primarily used Davies in this role, though he has served higher up the left flank on occasion. The €70-million-valued player expressed his frustration with less when speaking to the “Say Less” German football podcast last week. Davies made it clear that he had other ideas for next season beyond competing with the soon-to-be signed Raphaël Guerreiro.

“I was signed to replace Arjen Robben,” Davies said in his interview, “And when David Alaba got injured, I was then used as a full-back. And now, three, four years later, I’m stuck there.”

Davies added that he was “waiting for the chance to player further forward”.

Adding some contextual commentary to the interview on Kicker Magazine’s website, German footballing journalist Mario Krischel notes that such a wish stands little chance of being fulfilled. Krischel writes that Bayern are stacked with wingers and that Davies stands little chance of displacing the likes of Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sané.

Davies’ words could, in Krischel’s opinion, be construed as something that will lead to Bayern considering a transfer. After a subpar season, Thomas Tuchel and the FCB coaching staff may not be in a mood to grant the youngster’s request. Davies might have been better served to take the title of the podcast on which he appeared more literally.

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