The Tottenham Hotspur and Wales fullback has found himself very much second favourite to Danny Rose at White Hart Lane recently.
Tottenham’s Ben Davies in action with Fiorentina’s Jakub Blaszczykowski
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has disclosed the news that England fullback Danny Rose is set to miss this weekend’s match against Stoke City, and could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Undoubtedly, this is a blow for Spurs, but it offers up a big opportunity for one player at the club who has found himself marginalised in the first few games of the season, and much of the previous campaign – Ben Davies.
Rose has been one of Tottenham’s best performers so far this season, a level that followed on from making the Premier League Team of the Year and an impressive debut tournament with England in the summer.
Tottenham’s Danny Rose celebrates scoring
It is true that the 26-year-old’s game has come on leaps and bounds since Mauricio Pochettino took over the White Hart Lane hot seat, but over the last couple of years that has come somewhat at the expense of his Spurs teammate.
Ben Davies was brought in to challenge and perhaps even go on to claim the left back spot from Rose, when he joined from boyhood club Swansea City in 2014. But though he has had his moments, and has gone on to make 56 appearances in his two seasons at White Hart Lane, Davies has found himself firmly in the position of backup in North London.
But as he moves into crucial years in his career, he too has had his own excellent summer, as a vital member of Wales’ European Championship semi-finalist squad. Many who watched Chris Coleman’s men march to the last four will see it as a shame that the defender is struggling to get regular matches.
Wales’ James Chester with Tom Lawrence, Ben Davies and Sam Vokes during training
Davies has been on the bench so far this season but is yet to make an appearance. Put simply, the 23-year-old may have to move on to get the football it could be argued he deserves.
Last season he got plenty of game time, but predominantly in the Europa League and FA Cup. From February onwards the Welshman started just three from 14 Premier League games.
With Europe likely to be a bigger deal this season because of the Champions League, with any game time the former Swan gets it is imperative he performs as well as possible, convincing Pochettino that, even if replacing Rose in his first eleven will be a big ask, he is a viable alternative.
And that will start at the Britannia on Saturday.
Tottenham’s Ben Davies in action with West Ham’s Diafra Sakho
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