What happens when Vancouver Whitecaps best player turns 18?

Alphonso Davies has had a meteoric rise in his two years as a Vancouver Whitecaps player. At 15 years and three months, he became the youngest player signed to United Soccer League. Three months later, he became the youngest to score in USL. On July 15th, 2016, he became the third youngest to sign an MLS contract; and 2nd youngest to play (and start). Following his impressive 2016 campaign, he was ranked as one of the world’s 60 best talents.

In 2017, Davies entered the international soccer scene, becoming the youngest player to appear and score for the Canadian national team. At the Gold Cup, again, he became the youngest to score at said tournament and the first player born in the 2000’s to score at a “top level international tournament”. He eventually earned the Golden Boot, as tournament top scorer, was named the Young Player of the Tournament and to the Best XI.

Looking to out-do all he has already accomplished, Davies has played in all 16 MLS matches this season, starting 13 and playing 1194 minutes (ranked 2nd on the team). In those games, he has been Man of the Match unofficially (because it is sponsored by Budweiser) at least five times (maybe more like 8 to 10?).

His latest breakout match, last Saturday, in which he scorched Orlando City for one goal and three assists, brought his season total to two goals and seven (!) assists. That puts him third in MLS on assists, tied with Sebastian Giovinco, Miguel Almiron, and Federico Higuain. Pretty good company.

Davies turns 18 on November 2nd. At which time, Davies can be transferred internationally. In other words, enjoy him while you can, because there is a good chance that he won’t be with Vancouver for the 2019 season.

The burning question is where he will ply his trade next season. While it is still possible he is in Vancouver, he has already garnered plenty of public attention from top EPL clubs Manchester United and Chelsea. Prior to Saturday’s match, it was suggested on Twitter that Turkish club Besiktas, where Canadian teammates Cyle Larin and Atiba Hutchinson currently play, expressed interested in Davies. Although, with how he has developed, I think most teams are “interested” in Fonzie.

The Vancouver Whitecaps clearly have a buddy star on their hands in Alphonso Davies. He was properly sheltered from the media to begin his career and has slowly been let off that leash. He has continued to develop both physically and on the soccer pitch. I recall seeing an in-game shot of him and realizing how different his body shape is compared to the lanky 15-year-old we saw not so long ago, who looked like he was swimming in his jersey. As the number of games he plays continues to increase, and he remains level-headed and focused, the more confidence we can have that he will turn out more like Pulisic and less like Adu. The next question is: what/where is best for him to continue that growth, when his 18th birthday arrives at the beginning of November?