Post by Usapang Football on Aug 27, 2010 13:21:16 GMT 8
www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/David-Alaba-Louis-van-Gaals-new-jewel/6555/
David Alaba is only 17 but he is the new wonder kid of Bayern Munich.
His mother is from the Philippines, his father from Nigeria, whilst he himself was born in Vienna and grew up playing for the youth team of Austria Wein. Before he moved to Bayern in 2008 he rejected offers from Inter Milan and AC Milan when questioned why, he said: "Because Bayern Munich have been the most interested. When they invited me and showed me the whole area, they gave me the feeling that I can feel comfortable here and that they will always keep an eye on me."
Alaba is the youngest player of all time to ever play an official match for Bayern Munich and the Austrian national team. At the age of 17 years and 112 days he made his debut for Austria. He came on as a substitute against France in the 80th minute, in the 3-1 defeat against Les Bleus.
It wasn’t just the major European club teams that spotted Alaba. He could also represent Nigeria and Germany at international level whilst the Philippines were also interested. In an interview with a German sports magazine in the summer, Alaba said: "There was a request from the Philippines, but Nigeria have never approached me. And Germany would anyway never been an issue, since I have no connection to the country."
Originally Alaba was a left midfielder but remarkably Bayern Munich head coach Luois van Gaal has used him in recent games as a left-sided defender. The former Ajax and Barcelona coach, no stranger to young starlets, said: "He is a left back, although he himself does not consider himself as one."
On the left wing Alaba can use his great speed and technique to help Bayern’s attack. Alaba is very skillful with the ball and he can take on players very easily, his passing ability is also very good and for such a young player he has a good vision of the field. Crucially he has a strong left foot and can play all along the left flank as a left back, in midfield, or even as a left forward.
Alaba has already shown that despite his young age he is a very mature player. Following an injury to Diego Contento, Alaba was called up to play against Fiorentina in the second leg of the recent Champions League tie. Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge praised Alaba, who touched the ball more than all the other players on the pitch, said: "He played very well and this was his first full game for Bayern Munich."
Van Gaal pronounced himself "very satisfied" with Alabas’ appearance: "He is 17 years old, playing his first 90 minutes and at this stage, he has looked good and made the opponents' work hard, his performance has not lowered my confidence.” Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger added that "he played very well."
Since his Champions League display, there has been much hype surrounding Alaba. When asked if he has any weaknesses, he said: "Sure, I have weaknesses. Especially on my right foot, which is not yet at the same level as the other. Even in the physical area, I have to work. I think I'm not really strong in any area, I have much to learn."
When he asked what is he has to do in the long term Alaba said: "I always put my little goals that I want to achieve step by step. My next goal is to prevail and one day play in the first team. Then I want to go to England, preferably to Arsenal."
Next June Alaba will be 18 and he is expected to sign a professional contract for the Bavarian giants. With van Gaal’s guidance Alaba has the potential to become a huge star, he has the talent to do so but he needs to grab the opportunity with both hands, if he does so almost all pundits in Germany predict a wonderful future in the game.
David Alaba is only 17 but he is the new wonder kid of Bayern Munich.
His mother is from the Philippines, his father from Nigeria, whilst he himself was born in Vienna and grew up playing for the youth team of Austria Wein. Before he moved to Bayern in 2008 he rejected offers from Inter Milan and AC Milan when questioned why, he said: "Because Bayern Munich have been the most interested. When they invited me and showed me the whole area, they gave me the feeling that I can feel comfortable here and that they will always keep an eye on me."
Alaba is the youngest player of all time to ever play an official match for Bayern Munich and the Austrian national team. At the age of 17 years and 112 days he made his debut for Austria. He came on as a substitute against France in the 80th minute, in the 3-1 defeat against Les Bleus.
It wasn’t just the major European club teams that spotted Alaba. He could also represent Nigeria and Germany at international level whilst the Philippines were also interested. In an interview with a German sports magazine in the summer, Alaba said: "There was a request from the Philippines, but Nigeria have never approached me. And Germany would anyway never been an issue, since I have no connection to the country."
Originally Alaba was a left midfielder but remarkably Bayern Munich head coach Luois van Gaal has used him in recent games as a left-sided defender. The former Ajax and Barcelona coach, no stranger to young starlets, said: "He is a left back, although he himself does not consider himself as one."
On the left wing Alaba can use his great speed and technique to help Bayern’s attack. Alaba is very skillful with the ball and he can take on players very easily, his passing ability is also very good and for such a young player he has a good vision of the field. Crucially he has a strong left foot and can play all along the left flank as a left back, in midfield, or even as a left forward.
Alaba has already shown that despite his young age he is a very mature player. Following an injury to Diego Contento, Alaba was called up to play against Fiorentina in the second leg of the recent Champions League tie. Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge praised Alaba, who touched the ball more than all the other players on the pitch, said: "He played very well and this was his first full game for Bayern Munich."
Van Gaal pronounced himself "very satisfied" with Alabas’ appearance: "He is 17 years old, playing his first 90 minutes and at this stage, he has looked good and made the opponents' work hard, his performance has not lowered my confidence.” Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger added that "he played very well."
Since his Champions League display, there has been much hype surrounding Alaba. When asked if he has any weaknesses, he said: "Sure, I have weaknesses. Especially on my right foot, which is not yet at the same level as the other. Even in the physical area, I have to work. I think I'm not really strong in any area, I have much to learn."
When he asked what is he has to do in the long term Alaba said: "I always put my little goals that I want to achieve step by step. My next goal is to prevail and one day play in the first team. Then I want to go to England, preferably to Arsenal."
Next June Alaba will be 18 and he is expected to sign a professional contract for the Bavarian giants. With van Gaal’s guidance Alaba has the potential to become a huge star, he has the talent to do so but he needs to grab the opportunity with both hands, if he does so almost all pundits in Germany predict a wonderful future in the game.