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] era zagueiro naquela época; ele conhece muito bem a posição”, disse Banks sobre o técnico dos EUA, que representou sua terra natal, a Argentina, na Copa do Mundo de 2002. “Ele me ajudou com pequenos detalhes como posicionamento e coisas assim, apenas as pequenas coisas que fazem a diferença no mais alto nível.”
Filho de pai militar americano e mãe hispano-alemã, Banks viveu na área de Washington DC até os “quatro ou cinco anos”. Ele se mudou com a mãe para Dietmannsried, um vilarejo da Baviera a cerca de 145 quilômetros a sudoeste de Munique, quando seus pais se separaram, mas voltava frequentemente a DC para visitar o pai.
A rápida ascensão de Banks nos últimos seis meses levantou especulações de que ele poderia representar a Alemanha, tetracampeã da Copa do Mundo, para a qual continua elegível. Perguntado se ele esteve em contato com Morre a Mannschaft técnico Julian Nagelsmann, Banks não respondeu à pergunta diretamente.
“No momento, não se pensa em mudar [to Germany] ou algo assim, porque estou feliz com os EUA”, disse Banks.
Por enquanto, ele está apenas aproveitando a viagem e a possibilidade de representar os EUA. Ele já representou os EUA nos níveis Sub-19 e Sub-20. Ele acrescentou que competir pelos EUA na Copa do Mundo Sub-17 da FIFA em 2023 foi “uma das melhores experiências da minha vida”.
“Eu não esperava jogar tanto [this season] para ser absolutamente honesto com você”, disse Banks. “Mas os treinadores me deram muita confiança… tem sido um ótimo ano para mim até agora.”
Neste verão, pode ficar ainda melhor.
