Bayern Munich have been plunged into an injury crisis in the right-back position at the start of the season. Josip Stanišić and Sacha Boey have been ruled out for Bayern until November. Joshua Kimmich can play in the right-back position, but he has enjoyed a good run of form in the center of the park.
Vincent Kompany used Raphaël Guerreiro in the right-back position against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday. The Portuguese left-back did well in an unusual position. The Belgian coach may continue with him in this position over the next few weeks.
Since Guerreiro could play regularly in the right-back position, Alphonso Davies will be the only senior option in the left-back position. Hiroki Ito needs more time to recover from the broken foot. In terms of left-back from the academy, Bayern have a very solid option in Adam Aznou.
The 18-year-old left-back has been training with the first team since the start of the pre-season training. He also played in the pre-season friendlies for Die Roten. Aznou made his senior debut for Morocco during the first international break of the season. While talking to Lionstalk, Aznou revealed his targets at the club level for the season after making his debut for Morocco.
"I want to have minutes with the first team and compete for a spot in the team, and I would also like to improve a bit physically."Adam Aznou
Aznou can be part of contingency to replace Davies in the long run
Bayern have done well to integrate young players consistently in the first team over the last few years. Aleksandar Pavlović was the success story from the academy for Die Roten last season. Aznou can follow in the footsteps of the German midfielder and make the most of the opportunities to train and play for the first team.
The Moroccan left-back will certainly figure in Bayern’s contingency plans to replace Alphonso Davies. The Canadian left-back has less than 12 months left on his contract in Munich. Real Madrid are reportedly confident about agreeing a pre-contract agreement with Davies in January. Aznou can compete for a place in the team after the departure of Davies if he impresses Kompany in the training this season.
Considering how the season pans out for Aznou at first team and youth level, his immediate future at Bayern will be decided. If the Moroccan full-back completely outgrows youth level, Bayern Chiefs will not hesitate him to go out on loan to develop with a view to eventually integrating him in the first team. Considering Aznou’s performances at the youth level, it will be intriguing to see how he does at the senior level this season.