Canada’s return to the World Cup is at real risk of happening without their best-ever player.
Alphonso Davies left Bayern Munich’s 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin in the 64th minute holding the back of his right leg. Julian Nagelsmann said after the match that Davies has suffered a hamstring strain of unknown severity.
“According to the doctors, at first glance, it is at least a muscle tear. We’ll have to wait for further tests,” Nagelsmann told reporters following the match.
Canada has just eight days between Davies picking up his knock on Saturday and the FIFA-mandated deadline to submit their final World Cup squad, which falls on November 13. Bayern will have to run scans on the injury, which could be a minor strain that requires nothing more complicated than a few days off and some massage treatment.
It could also be more severe situation that keeps him out for weeks or even months, which would prevent John Herdman from bringing Davies to Qatar.
Canada needs good news
For Canada, losing Davies would be a potential catastrophe. They managed to get through much of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying cycle without the 22-year-old, as a bout with Covid-19 became a struggle with myocarditis that lasted for four months earlier this year.
However, no team wants to enter a World Cup without their biggest star, and that’s especially so for a team that hasn’t played in the tournament in 36 years. The work-around for going without Davies is not simply plugging in another player on the left flank. Raheem Edwards or Richie Laryea would be solid options for that job, but Canada’s attacking threat in transition would take a significant step back without the next-level ability Davies has on the ball.
A Canadian team without their star would have to spread that attacking responsibility around the team. Tajon Buchanan’s success would be that much more important, while young midfielder Ismaël Koné’s ability to drive forward from central midfield will become all the more vital.
Even if Herdman can shuffle the deck without Davies, Canada’s chances in Group F are surely stronger with him than without. The coming days will be telling for their hopes.
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