Tag: A. Davies

Zlatan Ibrahimovic sees a bright future ahead for Bayern Munich-bound teenager Alphonso Davies, but advised the winger to make sure he does not show “too much respect” to the big stars.

The 17-year-old agreed to move to Germany after the Bavarian side reached a £10 million ($13.5m) deal with Vancouver Whitecaps that has been tipped as a “bargain” by former Canada coach Octavio Zambrano.

Davies has already made 78 first-team appearances for the Whitecaps but will join his new team-mates in January after the MLS season comes to an end.

And, after coming up against the Ghanaian-born attacker during LA Galaxy’s 3-0 win over the Canadians, Ibrahimovic is convinced he will fit in well at a top club like Bayern.

“If he goes to Bayern, he must be a good player, because the club does not bring bad young footballers,” Ibrahimovic told reporters after the game. “At a club like Bayern, he will learn a lot, if they have seen something in him, then something big.

“I just hope he’s ready when he goes to Bayern, because when he gets there he’ll be lonely and it will be competitive, so he has to be mentally strong.

“If he sees the big players, he should not show too much respect. You go there for one reason: You’re part of the team. It’s up to him to do the rest. I see a bright future!”

The Swedish striker is not the only one to highlight the Canada international’s quality, as Bayern boss Niko Kovac is well aware of what is coming his way in January.

“He’s very young, and he’s very talented. Lots of clubs want to have him,” he said recently. “He’s a young player, and young players, when they are as good as him, are very expensive because a lot of clubs are interested in him – and I’m sure because a lot of clubs are interested in him the price might go up.

“He’s very fast, he’s very talented, he’s very good. I believe he has a very big future if he gets the right training.”