Good things
like all other things have to come to an end as Bayern Munich's Austrian
auxiliary man reaches his sunset at the Allianz Arena. Having won everything, there
is to win with Die Roten, it comes as no surprise that he wants to
have a taste of other leagues. At the peak age of 27, there would no better
time to try this. His trophy haul and contractual situation make him an
attractive option for several clubs in Europe. As is common practice in Europe,
once the news of an elite player's desire to leave leaks, the big cats come
sniffing. David Alaba's situation is no different. The moment his desire for a
new challenge became public knowledge, the usual suspects in Real Madrid,
Barca, City, and Inter have been hovering.
With the pick
of Europe's elite as suitors, who will he choose?
Manchester
City
The Cityzens
are an exciting proposition for Alaba. Joining them means he reunites with Pep
Guardiola, the man responsible for who he is today.
With City
being made to look normal this season by some suspect defending, Alaba's
defensive ability will improve them immensely at the back. He can play in the
heart of the defense and also at left-back. Testament of his defensive ability
is seen with 13 clean sheets in 29 appearances this season.
Pep's
unpredictability when it comes to player selection only goes in his favor as his
versatility makes him a shoo-in in defense, midfield, and attack.
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Pep and Alaba
are made for each other, as seen in their time together in Munich. The
potential hitch is the Sky Blues' two-year ban from the Champions' League, but
the reunion with Guardiola could tempt Alaba.
Barcelona
The lure of
playing for Barcelona with Lionel Messi should be a lure too great to turn down,
but with The Blaugrana in a tumultuous state on and off the pitch with
Messidependencia at an all-time high, it looks like too great a risk for Alaba.
Dominance on the domestic front has not translated into Champions' League wins,
which the Austrian dreams of winning (again).
His passing
ability should do the trick as it makes him a fit in Quique Setien's 'pass-centric'
side. He can slot right into the heart
of the defense with Pique as current options; Umtiti and Lenglet have not been
up to the standard. He can replace Jordi Alba at left-back when needed.
In moving to
Barcelona, Alaba does not improve the team much. Still, he fits their style of
play. A win for Barca, not so much for Alaba (if they fail to win the Champions'
League).
Inter Milan
David Alaba
appears to be Antonio Conte's most wanted player. Having failed to sign him
while at Chelsea, he is trying again as he seeks to break the monopoly Juventus
has over the league. In David Alaba, Conte gets a player who fits into his
3-5-2 and 3-4-3 systems.
He can play
as a part of the three-man wall at the back or a rampaging wingback on the left.
Also, he fits in as a deep-lying midfielder, a box to box dynamo, or an
attacking midfielder. He epitomizes the energy that Conte looks for in his players.
Should he join The Nerazzurri, he improves them on many levels and takes them back
closer to the upper echelons of Italian and European football.
Moving to
Inter does not guarantee that Alaba will win domestic trophies, to even talk of
the Champions League. Still, it will give him a chance to develop under Conte,
a manager who demands high levels of hard work, passion, and intensity on and
off the pitch from his previous bosses.
Despite the
numerous options, Alaba has two choices; to stay with Bayern or move overseas
and test himself against the best in more challenging leagues in Europe.
Do you think
we missed out on other teams Alaba could join? Let's hear it in the comment
section below.
