Roy Hodgson to Start Tottenham’s Danny Rose at Left-back
Tottenham Hotspur’s left-back, Danny Rose, has worked extremely hard to make Roy Hodgson’s final 23-man squad for the Euros. Now with Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand sidelined with an injury, Rose will be starting by default.
One thing that Danny Rose was quick to point out, in how he made it with Tottenham as a starter at left-back, was going on a season-long loan to Sunderland during the 2012-13 season. That move has reaped even more benefits for the 25-year-old as he is now in the England national team set up after a very good season with Spurs this past term.
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With Roy Hogdson only selecting two left-backs on his final 23-man squad, Ryan Bertrand and Danny Rose, the 68-year-old is running dangerously close to facing an extreme situation if Rose suffers an injury himself.
Because Bertrand suffered a knock (which has been diagnosed as a groin strain) against Australia in a warm-up game at the Stadium of Light, Danny Rose is — by default — going to start this Saturday once England’s European Championship campaign begins according to the Independent.
Mark Ogden described the decision as “one selection headache out of the way” due to both left-backs playing very well recently. Although that’s not how this move should be phrased. Because it was the only move to make.
Should Tottenham’s Danny Rose suffer an injury from now until the game against Russia, or during the game, there will be an even bigger “selection headache” with no out-and-out left-back on the squad. Unless Hodgson is given the option to call in someone to replace Bertrand with Everton’s Leighton Baines for example.
Per Ogden’s report in the Independent, Ryan Bertrand is expected to train later this week at England’s training facility in Chantilly. But his time is running out to prove that he can be fit in time come June 11th.
"“The former Chelsea full-back is expected to train at England’s Chantilly base later this week.”“But while the player is keen to return to training as quickly as possible, Hodgson’s medical team are being cautious with his training schedule due to Tottenham defender Rose being the only other specialist left-back in the squad.”More from Hotspur HQStorybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s RicharlisonTottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivatedTottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield UnitedTottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield UnitedTottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help“Bertrand’s failure to train has opened the door for Rose to face the Russians, with the defender impressing against Turkey and Portugal prior to the departure for France.”"
For the record, injuries are a part of the game and getting the opportunity to start in your first European Championship match will be great no matter the circumstances, even if your teammate lost his spot because of an injury.
Surely Danny Rose wouldn’t want to accept this starting job as a free handout because Ryan Bertrand won’t be fit in time, but the Tottenham defender, like Mark Ogden points out, impressed against Turkey (sans his mistake to let Turkey equalize) and Portugal to make Roy Hodgson’s decision a bit easier.
Even if Bertrand may have been fit this entire time.
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That said, the onus is now on Rose to continue impressing once the games begin so that Hodgson won’t have to go back and select Bertrand once he fully recovers.
Otherwise all of the hard work that the Tottenham left-back did leading up to the Euros could be for naught at the international level. At the club level, it will make him even better so perhaps it’s not all that bad for Danny Rose.