Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies has been superb this season. Can it last?
To the delight of Tottenham Hotspur fans and fantasy football enthusiasts this season, Ben Davies has been one of the star players of 2017/18.
The defender has filled in for Danny Rose at left-back so well that it leaves the England international at risk of losing his place in the team permanently.
Davies has been solid at the back and a real threat going forward, which has translated into goals.
In Premier League games this season, Davies is averaging a goal or assist every 0.67 games, compared to Rose’s rate last season of 0.22 matches.
| Season | Goals per game | Assists per game | Total | Appearances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Davies | 2017-2018 | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.67 | 6 |
| Danny Rose | 2016-2017 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.22 | 18 |
The sample size for Davies however remains small, and the rate at which he is going is probably unsustainable.
Last season Davies’ contributed at a lower rate than Rose – 0.17 in 23 matches, but this could be partly attributed to his displays in a back three as opposed to left-back.
The change to a wing-back system has suited Davies and he is making the most of it.
Davies has demonstrated a clear improvement and he may have to keep it up to keep Danny Rose on the sidelines.
It is surely not sustainable for the defender to contribute a goal or assist in two-thirds of his matches played.
What he has to do though is to continue to contribute as often as possible, at a higher output than Rose did last season.
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