David Alaba has been the player who has perhaps prospered the most in the time Pep Guardiola had with Bayern Munich.
He developed into arguably the best fullback in the world, but has also fit in neatly at centre-half when needed. Indeed Guardiola labelled him as “a future all-time best in the club’s history”, while former Bayern manager Ottmar Hitzfeld described him as “a gift from the heavens”.
Role in the team
The Viennese-born 23-year-old of Philippino and Nigerian origin holds the record for youngest debutant in the Austrian national team, but it is under current manager Marcel Koller that Alaba has grown as a regular international.
For the national team Alaba has been used to full effect as a commanding and deep lying playmaker, transitioning the ball from recovery of possession in defence into attacking positions as briskly as possible.
He has thrived as the pivotal figure in this setup. Given the freedom to make attacking runs, Alaba has displayed attacking vision and stamina, as well as tactical discipline beyond his tender 23 years.
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His powerful long range drives and winning mentality have in recent days reportedly attracted the interest of Real Madrid, who are rumoured to have tabled a €50 million offer.
Even at such a young age, Alaba has already achieved incredible success at club level winning five Bundesliga titles, four German Cups, a German Super Cup, a UEFA Champions’ League, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Alaba has also won the last five Austrian Player of the Year Awards.
100 – @David_Alaba is the youngest player of @FCBayern to achieve 100 wins in the BL. Record. pic.twitter.com/4OIvyid4Bb
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) April 16, 2016
Conclusion
With the nation side, Alaba’s goals will be somewhat less lofty. The team’s main objective will be to reach the knockout stages of the Euros for the first time in their history and then to see what happens.
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