For a long time, Alphonso Davies only seemed to be going in one direction: steeply upwards! However, the Canadian has been in a slump at FC Bayern for a while now. Will his rumored demands in contract poker with the record champions boomerang?
On August 14, 2020, Alphonso Davies’ star really rose: Barcelona’s Luis Suárez had just scored 2-4 against FC Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals, giving the Catalans hope of catching up, when the winger continued Guests from Germany for a solo run.
Davies played half of the Barca team dizzy on the touchline, repeatedly changing direction spontaneously and driving his opponents to despair. In this way, the youngster worked his way into the six-yard box, from where he made an exemplary pass for Joshua Kimmich, who was lurking in the background.
The DFB selection player scored Bayern’s fifth goal without any problems and the hosts’ will was broken. The final result, which still seems unreal: 2:8!
On the way to their eventual triumph in the premier class, the sweeping win against FC Barcelona was undoubtedly a milestone for FC Bayern. Davies’ solo run was viewed millions of times online and the hype surrounding the shooting star was enormous.
Today, almost three and a half years later, the wind has changed – directly in the face of Davies, who has been searching for his rhythm for months and, at the same time, is causing unrest with his contract poker.
Alphonso Davies is a factor of uncertainty at FC Bayern
Thomas Tuchel also knows that Davies is struggling with problems. The current situation is hindering the left-back rather than inspiring him, the Bayern coach admitted before the catch-up game in the Bundesliga (Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.) against Union Berlin.
“We talk to him a lot, we always let him play, even if he is a little behind his absolute top form,” said Tuchel about the 23-year-old.
The Canadian international, who was brought from the MLS by the Vancouver Whitecaps in January 2019 for around ten million euros, no longer shows the consistency he used to have and makes serious mistakes with alarming frequency. Most recently, he easily let himself be boiled before Bremen’s winning goal in Mitchell Weiser’s embarrassing 0-1 home defeat.
“Overall, he lacks a bit of self-confidence over a longer period of time,” revealed Tuchel. Davies is a “very fine and sensitive guy”, and also “sensitive and self-critical”.
The personal crisis is therefore also leaving its mark on the former high-flyer, whose contract in Munich runs until the summer of 2025.
FC Bayern: Rumors of a move about Davies continue
The fact that there is constant speculation about his future and a possible move to Real Madrid should also not help Davies’ light-heartedness. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has repeatedly stated that he wants to extend the working paper.
Tuchel advised that Davies had to go “a step up”, for example in duel behavior. But people will “continue to trust him,” assured the trainer.
Meanwhile, in the background, people are talking about their future together. According to “Sport Bild”, the club bosses recently made a far-reaching decision: Accordingly, a transfer in the summer of 2024 should definitely be an option for FC Bayern if Davies does not back down from his salary demands soon.
According to reports, the winger is demanding almost a doubling of his current salary to around 14 million euros. However, Bayern definitely do not want to comply with this demand.
And: According to “tz” information, Munich decision-makers have been wondering “for months” about the Canadian’s performances, whose performances are increasingly viewed “critically” internally.
The “kicker” also claims to have heard that Davies “seems to have lost a bit of his grip on the ground” recently.
How long can FC Bayern be held back?
It is therefore not impossible that Davies, who counts both Real Madrid and Chelsea FC among his admirers, has cut himself into the flesh with his tactics.
His negotiating position has not improved despite the interested parties traded, FC Bayern will not allow themselves to be held back forever and may soon bring in new competition for the left side of the defense.
The child isn’t in the well yet, but Davies has to get out of his slump as quickly as possible and take a stand. Fans and those responsible have been waiting too long for new great moments from the former Barcelona horror.
Heiko Lütkehus