Alphonso Davies is fighting for his place as Bayern Munich's left-back. The Canadian international faces serious competition from new signing Nathaniel Brown after a long-term injury and a dip in form, as reported by Goal.com this week.
Davies suffered an ACL tear in February 2025, shortly after signing a contract extension until 2030. He was sidelined for nine months and has not regained his previous level. Last season, his top speed was only 35.11 km/h, placing him 39th in the Bundesliga's speed rankings. Nathaniel Brown, signed for 50 million euros from Eintracht Frankfurt, recorded 35.78 km/h and ranked 11th. This data is available on our stats page.
Who is the new competitor Nathaniel Brown?
Nathaniel Brown has gained an edge during pre-season under coach Vincent Kompany. While Davies worked on his fitness in Munich, Brown took part in the Asia tour and impressed. The 22-year-old is considered more technically adept and has better game intelligence. At his official presentation, Brown named "speed" and "spatial awareness" as his greatest strengths. His transfer was one of Bayern's most expensive signings this summer.
The current squad planning with all players is documented in our squad overview. Brown is seen as direct competition for the left-back role, where Davies had been undisputed since the 2019/20 treble-winning season.
Why is Davies' situation so complex?
Alphonso Davies' problems are multifaceted. After returning from the World Cup with Canada, where he played only 16 minutes, he suffered a muscle tear. His athletic qualities, particularly his explosiveness and speed, have noticeably declined since the injury. "Players with his profile rely even more on their physical condition," the report states. The health setbacks are literally slowing him down.
There is also financial pressure. After his contract extension, Davies earns an annual base salary of 15 million euros, plus bonuses and a 22 million euro signing fee. If his sporting performance continues to fall short of expectations, he could find himself in a situation similar to former teammates. Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman also faced performance issues after lucrative renewals.
What are Vincent Kompany's plans?
Vincent Kompany must find a solution for the left side. Luis Diaz is the established left winger. Alternatives include youngster Arijon Ibrahimovic or using Jamal Musiala or Serge Gnabry in the role. In friendly matches, Kompany also tested Bara Ndiaye and 17-year-old Maycon Cardozo. It is possible Davies could be used in an attacking role this season, where he played for Canada in the past.
The schedule with upcoming fixtures, starting with the Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund on August 22nd, can be found on the fixtures calendar. Kompany will base his lineup on current form.
What's next for Alphonso Davies?
Sporting director Max Eberl has ruled out a sale of Alphonso Davies in this transfer period. The club still believes the 25-year-old can return to his best. Davies is seen as a positive character and is important for the club's marketing in North America, similar to Min-Jae Kim's role in Asia.
Ultimately, performances on the pitch will decide. If Davies loses the competition to Nathaniel Brown and has another disappointing season, he could become a candidate for sale. His contract until 2030 would then pose a significant obstacle for a transfer. The coming weeks will show if Davies can reclaim his starting spot.
