Alphonso Davies: Thomas Müller and Niko Kovac praise Bayern Munich's Canadian teenager
Thomas Müller says Alphonso Davies is the ideal candidate to fill in for either Serge Gnabry or Kingsley Coman, should one of Bayern Munich's first-choice wingers miss the DFL Supercup against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Gnabry only featured for 20 minutes at the pre-season Audi Cup mini tournament, where Bayern thrashed Fenerbahce 6-1 before losing to Tottenham Hotspur on penalties in the final. He remains a doubt for the trip to Dortmund due to the bothersome thigh injury that forced him off the field early against Fenerbahce.
Coman, meanwhile, had to be replaced after only being on the pitch for a few minutes against Spurs. The Frenchman appeared to be in some discomfort after taking a knock to his left leg, although coach Niko Kovac told media following the game that it "doesn't appear to be anything serious."
If Coman does turn out to be unavailable for the Supercup, however, Davies offers a ready-made alternative.
The 18-year-old started the Tottenham friendly at left-back, but shifted forward into his preferred left-wing role in the second half, scoring a sensational long-range equaliser with two minutes of normal time remaining to force penalties.
Müller, who lined up on the Bayern right in the second half at the Allianz Arena, says he would welcome the Canadian's inclusion in the side once more in Dortmund.
"Alphonso Davies," the Bayern man replied when quizzed on his side's Supercup alternatives on the flanks to Gnabry and Coman. "The way he hit that ball with his right foot wasn't half bad."
"We'll see what happens with Serge and Kingsley in the coming days. I don't think either are serious doubts, but we'll find a solution if we have to."
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As well as sweeping in a quite brilliant solo goal with his weaker right foot, Davies also had the most touches of any Bayern player (97), came out on top in 77 per cent of his attempted one-on-ones and hit the mark with almost 80 per cent of his attempted passes in a performance that didn't go unnoticed by Kovac.
"You can see the qualities he has," explained the Bayern boss, who deployed the 13-time Canada international at left-back on his Bundesliga debut last March, and again in the pre-season wins over Real Madrid and AC Milan prior to the Spurs clash.
"He can play full-back or as a winger, so we've been giving that a go in pre-season. We're trying to determine where and in what situations we can bring him in."
Watch: Alphonso Davies scored a debut Bundesliga goal against Mainz
Davies made six substitute appearances for the Bayern first team after joining the record champions from Vancouver Whitecaps in January, operating at left-back, on the left and right wing.
More recently, the Edmonton native made four starts during Canada's run to the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals, splitting his time evenly between the left wing and the left-hand side of defence.
The new 2019/20 season will be Davies' first full campaign as a Bayern player, but third as a fully fledged professional, having made his senior club debut at the age of 15 whilst still a member of the Whitecaps' second team.
He turns 19 on 2 November 2019.
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