Noahkai Banks targets Augsburg starting role while keeping Germany and USA options open

Noahkai Banks targets Augsburg starting role while keeping Germany and USA options open FC Augsburg academy defender Noahkai Banks has reaffirmed his desire to remain with his boyhood club and establish himself as a Bundesliga starter while continuing to leave his international future between Germany and the United States unresolved. The 19-year-old enters the new campaign facing significant competition for minutes in Manuel Baum’s defensive corps following an inconsistent conclusion to last season. Banks nevertheless made his ambitions clear while speaking to Kicker at Augsburg’s training camp. “I want to become a regular starter, be a leader on the pitch and have a good season with the team,” Banks said. “We have goals, I have goals. Let’s see what comes of it in the end.” Banks started on the right of Augsburg’s back-three during Saturday’s 3-2 friendly victory over Sassuolo, lining up alongside Chrislain Matsima and Keven Schlotterbeck. His afternoon began unfortunately when the referee awarded Sassuolo an early penalty following a Banks foul that actually occurred outside the box. Noahkai Banks reiterates desire to remain at Augsburg Banks’ role heading into the new season remains an interesting one. Born in Hawaii and raised in Germany’s Allgäu region, Banks joined Augsburg at the age of eight and has developed almost entirely within FCA’s academy structure. The centre-back has already accumulated 31 Bundesliga appearances, though his minutes decreased significantly towards the end of last season. Banks subsequently emerged as a potential transfer candidate. The defender, however, insists that his own preference is clear. “My plan is to stay at Augsburg and play as well as I can,” Banks told Kicker. “I owe almost everything to the club,” Banks said. “I’ve been here since I was eight.” Competition nevertheless remains fierce. Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw missed the Sassuolo friendly through injury but remains an important part of Baum’s defensive plans. Matsima and Schlotterbeck provide further competition, though Baum recently stressed that Gouweleeuw retaining the captaincy does not automatically guarantee the veteran a starting position. Banks thus still possesses an avenue through which to establish himself. Banks already serves as Augsburg academy example Banks’ development also forms part of a broader Augsburg project involving younger players. Banks and close friend Mert Kömür both broke through prominently last season and are increasingly being used as examples for the next generation of FCA prospects. Get German Football News recently covered Tim Schnitzer’s ambition to follow Banks and Kömür into the Augsburg first team. Baum has repeatedly stressed the importance of providing younger players with the appropriate framework rather than expecting development to occur automatically. Augsburg are simultaneously attempting to identify young players capable of taking immediate Bundesliga steps from elsewhere. Summer signing Hennes Behrens represents another prominent example . The 21-year-old arrives after enhancing his reputation during a Bundesliga loan spell with Heidenheim and appears poised for a significant role on Baum’s left flank. USA or Germany decision remains open Banks’ club future is not the only major decision that remains unresolved. The German-American defender continues to keep both Germany and the United States open at senior international level. Banks already addressed the matter last February , confirming contact with both federations and insisting that he did not want to rush such an important decision. The United States subsequently wanted Banks involved for the World Cup on home soil, but the Augsburg youngster declined the opportunity. Banks admits that watching the tournament produced mixed emotions. “I watched with one laughing and one crying eye and was happy for the guys because they welcomed me really well back then,” Banks said, referring to his previous involvement with the US setup. “Every now and then I told myself that it would have been pretty cool to be there,” Banks said. “I’m not someone who regrets something afterwards,” Banks nevertheless continued. “I made my decision that way, also with an eye towards the future. It’s fine.” Kicker notes that rejecting the opportunity to participate in a home World Cup may offer some indication of Banks’ thinking should an opportunity with new Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp eventually arise. For now, Banks remains publicly uncommitted. Before Banks can seriously pursue senior international ambitions, he must first achieve the objective he has set himself at Augsburg: becoming an undisputed Bundesliga starter and developing into one of the leaders of his childhood club. GGFN  |  Peter Weis