Another weekend, another stat potentially missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as the Canadian FA and head coach John Herdman will be sweating out the news surrounding star left-back Alphonso Davies.
The 22-year-old Bayern Munich starlet was removed from action at the Olympiastadion early today after suffering what has been reported to be a hamstring strain at minimum, with manager Julian Nagelsmann awaiting further tests on the severity of the injury.
On Alphonso Davies’ injury, Nagelsmann says it’s at least a hamstring strain according to the team doctor. Further scans tomorrow will reveal the exact extent of the injury pic.twitter.com/i29vDvbppf
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) November 5, 2022
This comes in the wake of a rash of injuries across top-flight competitions in Europe that has already seen multiple countries feel the full weight of what has been an unusual – and packed – footballing calendar this year to afford a winter tournament in Qatar.
Should the injury prove to be more than a strain, Davies would heartbreakingly add his name to the veritable laundry list of players who are already confirmed to be unavailable for selection for Qatar or are facing a race against the clock to provide their fitness in time to be selected by their respective managers.
That list includes vital France midfield duo Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, Germany striker Timo Werner, star England right-back Reece James, the Netherlands’ Georginio Wijnaldum, and Uruguay’s Ronald Araújo.
Additionally, the likes of Son Heung-min, Leroy Sané, Mike Maignan, Kyle Walker, Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, and Richarlison are all on the clock regarding their ability to recover in time to be included for their respective national teams.
One of a cadre of talented young players in the Canadian setup, Davies’ star shines brightest given his meteoric rise at a club of Bayern’s stature, though the likes of LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David, Club Brugge KV duo Kyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan, FC Porto’s Stephen Eustáquio, and MLS hitman Lucas Cavallini are all in line to be on the plane.
Any chance Canada has to fall into a possible dark horse category in a deceptively even Group F featuring Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco, will no doubt rest on Davies’ inclusion while tapping into his wealth of experience both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League if Canada is to prove they are the best that CONCACAF has to offer.
