Bayern Munich: Top 7 foreign players in 21st century

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 07: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) supporters of Bayern Muenchen II with flags during the 3. Liga match between Bayern Muenchen II and SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach at Stadion an der Gruenwalder Straße on March 7, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 07: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) supporters of Bayern Muenchen II with flags during the 3. Liga match between Bayern Muenchen II and SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach at Stadion an der Gruenwalder Straße on March 7, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – MARCH 03: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) David Alaba of Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the DFB Cup quarterfinal match between FC Schalke 04 and FC Bayern Muenchen at Veltins Arena on March 3, 2020, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – MARCH 03: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) David Alaba of Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the DFB Cup quarterfinal match between FC Schalke 04 and FC Bayern Muenchen at Veltins Arena on March 3, 2020, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

David Alaba

Bayern’s youth academy has played a big role in their success over the past decade. David Alaba has been one of the players that have successfully taken the leap from the reserves team to the first team. The Austrian defender came through the academy and established as left-back in the first team.

Alaba broke on the scene at the age of 18, racking up 372 appearances across all competitions until now. The most impressive aspect of the Austrian full-back that he has managed a great consistency in his performances over the last ten years. He still has so much to offer as there are at least four years left at the top level.

Apart from consistency in the full-back position, Alaba has also been a manager’s dream player due to his versatility. Pep Guardiola and Hansi Flick have used him in central defense. He has fit into this role like a hand does to a glove. Alaba epitomizes a perfect modern defender, aggressive with defending and composed on the ball.

Bavarians enjoy it when a youth player becomes an integral player of the first team. Alaba can be considered as the best foreign player to come through the academy and deliver big performances for the first team. He still has a big role to play in the first team, so Bayern must sort his new deal and end speculation surrounding his future at the club.