As one of just a handful of teenage central defenders starting for clubs in Top 5 European leagues — a list that includes the likes of Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí and Manchester United’s Leny Yoro — Noahkai Banks could be feeling himself.
The Hawaii-born, Germany-raised youngster hadn’t even started a Bundesliga game when United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino invited him to his first senior team training camp last August. Since then, the 6-foot-4 Banks has been a mainstay in Augsburg’s starting lineup under two different managers; Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Mainz was his 17th appearance in the lineup in Augsburg’s last 18 matches.
How could this breakout season not go to his head?
“My mom would kick my ass if I’m not grounded anymore,” Banks told a small group of reporters Tuesday during a video conference. “So there is no chance of that.”
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Given the way Banks has acquitted himself on the field this season, it shouldn’t be surprising that his level of maturity away from the pitch is also unusual for a player his age.
Asked several times over the course of the 30-minute virtual roundtable about his World Cup ambitions, Banks downplayed them.
“It’s not the right moment to think about the World Cup for me, because we have a lot of games left here, and we want to win those,” he said of Augsburg, which sits just five points clear of the relegation zone in Germany’s top flight with 13 contests remaining. “A lot of players say it, but I really mean it. I really just focus on the games we have here. Then, let’s see what happens.”
(Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
He’s got a shot for sure.
While Pochettino can only name 26 players to the Americans’ World Cup roster this May, there’s an open competition in the heart of the USA’s backline. Crystal Palace standout Chris Richards seems like a lock. Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream is the other presumed starter, but is 38. Pochettino used a three-man setup in several friendlies last fall, which could open up another spot. Miles Robinson was the choice on the right side in those games, but Banks plays the same position and, based on his body of work over the last few months, could be an upgrade despite his youth.
Pochettino understands how much potential Banks has.
“He’s a massive talent,” the coach said upon calling him in for September exhibitions against South Korea and Japan. “You never know how he can explode — maybe at the end of the season he can be the best center back in Europe.”
“I read it,” Banks said. It’s a great compliment, but I know I have to work a lot to get there. I know I’m not there yet.”
A minor injury prevented Banks from making his senior debut in September. The 10 days he spent with the USA made a lasting impression nonetheless. Veterans like Ream, Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah went out of their way to welcome him to the squad, he said. Pochettino was hands-on during training sessions.
“[Pochettino] o zamanlar stoperdi; Banks, memleketi Arjantin'i 2002 Dünya Kupası'nda temsil eden ABD'li teknik direktör hakkında şunları söyledi: “Pozisyonu çok iyi biliyor.” Pozisyon alma ve bunun gibi küçük ayrıntılarda, en üst düzeyde fark yaratan küçük şeylerde bana yardımcı oldu.”
ABD'li asker bir baba ile İspanyol-Alman bir annenin oğlu olan Banks, “dört ya da beş” yaşına kadar Washington DC bölgesinde yaşadı. Anne ve babası ayrıldığında annesiyle birlikte Münih'in yaklaşık 90 mil güneybatısındaki bir Bavyera köyü olan Dietmannsried'e taşındı, ancak babasını ziyaret etmek için sık sık DC'ye geri döndü.
Banks'in son altı aydaki hızlı yükselişi, dört kez Dünya Kupası şampiyonu olan Almanya'yı temsil edebileceği yönündeki spekülasyonları artırdı ve hâlâ bu kupaya katılma hakkına sahip. Temas halinde olup olmadığı soruldu Mannschaft'ın ölmesi Teknik direktör Julian Nagelsmann, Banks soruya doğrudan cevap vermedi.
“Şu anda değiştirme düşüncesi yok” [to Germany] Banks, “Ya da bunun gibi bir şey, çünkü ABD'den memnunum” dedi.
Şimdilik sadece yolculuğun ve ABD'yi temsil etme olasılığının tadını çıkarıyor. Zaten ABD'yi U-19 ve U-20 seviyelerinde temsil etti. 2023'te FIFA'nın 17 Yaş Altı Dünya Kupası'nda ABD adına yarışmanın “hayatımdaki en iyi deneyimlerden biri” olduğunu ekledi.
“Bu kadar oynamayı beklemiyordum” [this season] Size karşı kesinlikle dürüst olmak gerekirse” dedi Banks. “Fakat koçlar bana çok güven verdi… şu ana kadar benim için harika bir yıl oldu.”
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