(Gent)
Both clubs may be renowned for their
keen eye for fledgling talent, but don’t
remind the decision-makers at Red Bull
Salzburg and Stuttgart of the fact they
once let this 20-year-old sharpshooter
slip through their fingers.
The pair brought the Canadian to
Europe for trials as a teenager, in 2016
and 2017, only to decide that he did not
fit the bill. Coaches at Salzburg informed
him he’d struggle to make their B team
and they only wanted imports who were
better than their own academy pupils.
Stuttgart’s under-21 boss did not even
bother to observe him in action.
David returned home to Ottawa
with mixed feelings; he was deeply
disappointed, of course, but equally
convinced that he had what it takes to
make it overseas. And when Belgian
outfit Gent offered him a chance totry-out he made a lasting impression and
signed for the club on his 18th birthday,
in January 2018.
And what progress he has made in
Flanders since.
He looked very much the part in his
first season with the first team, scoring 14
times, and produced an even better set
of finishing numbers this term with 23
goals in 40 Belgian championship and
Europa League fixtures.
A Canada international for the last 20
months, he could not stop scoring for the
national side last year, netting eight goals
in total, including six at the CONCACAFGold Cup. Little wonder he was voted the
country’s Player of the Year in December.
Rated in the €20million plus bracket,
he is currently being linked with top sides
in England, Italy, Spain and Germany. He
has, however, hinted that his preferred
destination is the Bundesliga – and
no doubt he would like to emulate the
achievements of his compatriot and close
friend Alphonso Davies, who has made
the left-back berth his own at Bayern
Munich this season.
As well as goals, goals, goals and an
abundance of skill and speed, David also
offers positional adaptability.
He was a pure striker growing up in
Canada with a string of Ottawa clubs,
but in truth he can play anywhere in
the attacking third and Gent coach Jess
Thorup tends to use him just behind
twin strikers.
Nick BidwellJONATHAN DAVID
MOST WANTED 3 Beyond the Big Leagues
With eight goals last year, including
six at the CONCACAF Gold Cup,
little wonder he was voted Canada’s
Player of the Year