Tottenham 2017-18 player preview: Danny Rose
By Gary Pearson
It feels like an eternity since having the pleasure of watching Danny Rose take his natural position on the left side of Tottenham’s defence.
Rose last played a senior match for Tottenham in January against Sunderland. The injury he suffered, at the time, looked like it would keep him out of the lineup. But nobody expected him to be out this long. Complications during rehab necessitated surgery in May, costing him months. The 27-year-old isn’t expected to return for about six weeks.
Rose made 18 appearances in 2016-17 before suffering the season-ending injury. He chipped in with two assists and was only on the pitch for a single Spurs’ loss. Rose is unarguably Tottenham – and England’s – primary left back when fit.
An injury layoff of this length – especially one that affects the medial knee ligaments – naturally incites follow-up questions. Will Rose retain his breakneck pace, while maintaining his unparalleled agility? Will he be more susceptible to a recurring injury and how long will it take for him to restore peak match fitness?
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Pessimists might harbour involuntary negative thoughts about his post-recovery on-field action.
But optimists will truly believe he’ll recover fully and return to pre-injury form. They’ll also assert that he’ll avoid re-injuring the susceptible knee and enjoy another seven or eight seasons in top physical shape.
Rose, in the inchoate stages of his overdue, anticipated return, will undoubtedly incite increased stress levels in Spurs’ supporters, who will watch England’s best left back with bated breath, hoping no other impediments or roadblocks stand in his way.
The 2017-18 season could be a decisive one for native of Doncaster. He’ll slide back into Spurs’ starting lineup unimpeded. The rest is up to him. But anyone who has spent a modicum of time watching Rose play know what he’s capable of.
Expect Rose to lift Spurs’ offensive threat to new heights once he regains confidence and match fitness. The Englishman, unlike stand-in Ben Davies, is prodigious going forward and has the ability to chip in with a few goals.
Next: Kieran Trippier confirmed out for opener: Who takes his place?
The one blemish of Rose’s game, to no fault of his own, is his aerial inferiority. Too many times he’s beat in the air at the back post, often forcing Hugo Lloris into precarious situations.
Do Spurs need Rose in the starting team to bid for the Premier League title? I don’t think so, but the presence of this particular English Rose certainly buoys the Lilywhites title chances.