Ben Davies, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, has positioned himself as a potential starter for Tottenham in their upcoming North London derby against Arsenal. This comes in light of his commendable performance for Wales. The 31-year-old Davies demonstrated exceptional defensive skills during a UEFA Nations League match held on Monday, September 9, 2024, where Wales secured a 2-1 victory against Montenegro.
Davies was a formidable presence in the Welsh defense, contributing significantly to his team’s success. Despite his limited playing time at Tottenham, where he has often found himself on the periphery, Davies’ recent performance has not gone unnoticed. Throughout the international break, which saw various players representing their countries, Welsh media outlets praised Davies for his outstanding contribution to the match. WalesOnline, on September 9, awarded him a rating of 8 out of 10, highlighting his defensive solidity and a crucial goal-line clearance early in the game.
Similarly, Y Clwb Pel-droed, on the same date, echoed this sentiment by acknowledging Davies’ critical role in the defense. The outlet emphasized that the Welsh captain’s performance was once again exemplary, including another vital clearance off the line, a familiar occurrence in his long-standing international career.
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Despite his efforts and significant experience, Davies faces a challenging situation at Tottenham. There have been indications that Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, was considering replacing Davies during the summer transfer window. Nevertheless, Davies remains with the club for this season. However, his opportunities to play are expected to be limited, primarily due to the presence of Destiny Udogie, who is the current starting left-back.
Davies has been a reliable and steady performer for Tottenham over his decade-long tenure with the club. As he approaches the latter stages of his career, he continues to perform at a high level for Wales, which might provide him with a chance to be included in the squad for the upcoming North London derby. While it is unlikely that Davies will start the match, his recent performance could potentially make him a candidate for a substitute role, especially if Tottenham faces defensive challenges.
In his recent match for Wales, Davies demonstrated his defensive prowess by winning 71 percent of his ground duels, making three clearances, including one critical goal-line clearance, and executing two interceptions and two tackles. Additionally, he blocked three shots, showcasing his defensive reliability.
His performance was not only defensively solid but also effective in terms of ball distribution. He achieved a pass completion rate of 81 percent, including one key pass and creating one significant goal-scoring opportunity.
Despite such a noteworthy performance, the likelihood of Davies starting the match against Arsenal is slim. Postecoglou will likely prioritize his strongest available players to compete effectively against Arsenal. Although Davies has shown he can still perform at a high level, especially following his recent international appearance, his role at Tottenham might be limited to brief appearances off the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur has faced vulnerabilities in their defense at times during the season, notably in matches against teams like Leicester City. If these issues persist, there could be an opportunity for Davies to challenge Udogie’s position, particularly if Tottenham continues to concede goals at their current rate. Given Davies’ impressive display during the international break, he has certainly made a case for inclusion, albeit as a substitute.
In summary, Ben Davies has showcased a performance that underscores his value and capability, even as he faces competition and limited opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur. His recent form for Wales has demonstrated that he remains a strong and dependable player, which could potentially influence his involvement in future matches for Tottenham, including the highly anticipated North London derby.
