Alphonso Davies: "I still see myself as a left-back in the future"

Davies joined Bayern in January 2019, having started his professional career with Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps as a winger.

This season, however, the 19-year-old has been repurposed on the left-hand side of the defence to brilliant effect, starting 23 competitive matches in a row in the position prior to the COVID-19 enforced break.

"I came out as a winger, I played as a winger a couple of games," Davies said at a virtual news conference of his early days with the first team. "Right now, my main attribute is left-back, I'm enjoying the position. I'm enjoying every moment of it, but in the future I still see myself as a left-back. I don't see it changing any time soon."

Watch: How Alphonso Davies has improved Bayern's defence

Davies' makeshift deployment at left-back came about after central defenders Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Süle sustained long-term injuries. The Ghana-born youngster had played in the role before at senior international level with Canada, but says regular left-back David Alaba - who has moved inside in recent months - has made a telling contribution to his seamless transition from attack to defence.

"I'm proud of my achievement, but right now thinking about it, it's all because of the team I'm with," Davies explained. "The team's playing well, everyone's playing well, and I also have a world-class left-back playing next to me, helping me out as well.

"Obviously David's been a top player for a long time, especially at the left-back position. Having him as my centre-back, he knows how to play at left-back, so I take feedback and advice from him. He helped me out a lot, keeping me in shape, keeping me where I'm supposed to be on the field, just giving me all the advice he got in his previous mentorship with whoever it was."

Davies has made 35 competitive appearances for Bayern since making the switch from Vancouver less than 18 months ago. He has produced two goals and seven assists, and is pushing 90 per cent for passing accuracy and 60 per cent for challenges won. His impressive displays recently earned him a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Bayern until 2025.

Should the 2019/20 season restart, Davies could - with Bayern chasing a Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB Cup treble - break the 50-game appearance barrier before his first full campaign with Germany's record champions is even out.

The Canadian has become accustomed to celebrating career milestones in front of sell-out Allianz Arena crowds totalling 75,000 spectators, but fully accepts why a prerequisite for any resumption is the playing of matches behind closed doors.

"If it happens it's going to be different," he said. "The fans are part of us, but it's for the safety of everyone I guess, so I don't really mind it."