FC Bayern: Davies like a replacement

Last season, Alphonso Davies was still considered a controversial professional at FC Bayern. Above all, the anger surrounding his team of advisors ran through the entire season – with the eternal question: Will he stay or will he go?

As is well known, Davies stayed – and now seems to have been replaced. He was in the starting line-up in seven out of ten competitive games and is particularly impressive with his strength in duels.

The left-back won according to figures from data service providers Spotter 62 percent of his duels in the league, which makes him Bayern’s second strongest tackler after Minjae Kim. In the win against VfB Stuttgart (4-0), he even won 70 percent of the duels.

But Davies doesn’t just show his strengths on defense, he also acts much more conspicuously offensively. While last season he was involved in a shot on goal every 41 minutes, he has now reduced this figure to 30 minutes.

And who, if not Alphonso Davies, is known for his pace? The Canadian averages 32 sprints per game – that’s the most at Bayern. Against VfB he reached a top speed of 36.2 kilometers per hour. This put him just behind his personal Bundesliga record (36.5 kilometers per hour from the 2022/23 season).

The change from coach Thomas Tuchel, under whom he was not an undisputed regular player, to Vincent Kompany seems to have been a liberating move for Davies. The Belgian’s intense playing style gives Davies new confidence.

“He’s a really brilliant guy,” Davies praised his new coach in an interview The Athletic. „The way we play now is very intense. He chooses the best team and the best players who he brings into the team and who train well. Every training session is a fight for a starting place.”

Another factor that may have contributed to Davies’ recent explosion in performance is his uncertain future. The left-back’s contract expires in 2025 – so far, Bayern have made no move to respond to his agent’s high salary demands.

Rumors of a move to Real Madrid persist, but are no guarantee that the defender will actually move to Los Blancos next summer. So Davies has to fight for his future – whether in Munich, Madrid or somewhere else. An additional incentive for Davies to maximize his performance?

In any case, those responsible in Munich suddenly found themselves in a comfortable position: they didn’t have to make any hasty decisions and could wait and see how the “Roadrunner” developed.

“My full focus is on this team,” explained Davies at the Bild. “Phonzie” is currently showing week after week that this is not just an empty phrase.