Tottenham Set to Offer Ben Davies New Contract

Tottenham appear to be readying a new contract for Ben Davies in a move that should be seen as a reflection of his recent return to form.

ESPN reported Monday that Davies could be the next member of Tottenham’s first team to be rewarded with a new contract. Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane and Dele Alli are among the number of players who committed to the club long term so far this season.

Unlike those players, Davies’ fate wasn’t quite certain. The Welsh international found his role diminished at Tottenham this season as Danny Rose tightened his grip on the left-back position. There were reasonable doubts as to his future at the club come summer.

It’s a testament to just how great Rose is that Davies would find himself second fiddle liks this. The 23-year-old split duties with Rose for much of the 2015/16 season, only falling behind the England international at the tail end of the season.

The two players might occupy the same position, but their function in the side is typically very different. Rose is the more attack-minded player, the one Mauricio Pochettino would choose if he sensed a vulnerability on the opposition’s left flank.

Davies, in contrast, is the more traditional full-back, tilting more toward the defensive side of the position. He was the one named into the squad when Spurs were up against a particularly tricky winger, for instance.

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Over time Rose’s defense grew to such a level that he became the automatic first choice for every match, regardless of circumstance. Only the need for rotation saw him sit out certain games.

Davies’ effort with Wales in this past summer’s European Championship proved his worth, and there would no doubt be a number of clubs vying for his services should Spurs have offered him. As it stood, however, the club retained his services, though he didn’t earn any kind of regular role until Rose injured his knee in January.

In the opening months of the 2016/17 season Rose has done more than simply earn the starting spot from Davies. He had become one of the most important players in any Spurs starting XI, especially when Pochettino converted him to wing-back. As it turns out, there might not be a player in football who better embodies the strengths of wing-backs as Rose.

Needless to say, a more defensive player like Davies isn’t the ideal candidate for wing-back. He lacks Rose’s pace, his knack for choosing to pull wide or cut inside, and his generally strong positional awareness. Pochettino was forced to revert back to a more conventional system of proper full-backs.

At first, Davies did not thrive — it would even be fair to say he struggled. If blame could be laid on any one individual for the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in February, Davies might be that person. He was chronically unable to track back and cover Sadio Mané, and Spurs suffered the consequences.

As Rose’s time on the sidelines lengthened, Davies slowly began to get a feel for the game again. He performed well enough in the win over Fulham for Pochettino to field him as a wing-back against Stoke. The 4-0 win that resulted only solidified the impression that Davies was growing into Rose’s role.

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Sunday’s fantastic performance in the 3-2 win over Everton was, perhaps, the final straw in the decision to offer Davies a new contract. He was immaculate as a wing-back, performing so well that Seamus Coleman rarely found opportunity to get around Davies and attack.

Securing Davies to a longer contract is only a plus for both club and player. Rose will slot right back into the starting XI when he returns to health, but at least Pochettino knows he can turn to Davies again if need be.

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